SINGAPORE BASE.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 6 March 1925, Page 9

SINGAPORE BASE.

EXTRA EDITION.

GIFT OP £250,000

HONGKONG’S OFFER

BY GABLE—PRESS ASSOCIATION—COBYRIGH'i. (Received March 6,9.3 d a.m.) LONDON, March 5. In the House of Commons at question time, Mr R. S. Amery said that Hongkong had generously offered £250,009 towards the cost of Singapore base, representing the profits made by the colony .out of a local scheme of shipping control in the war time. The gift was gratefully accepted by ITis Majesty’s Governnient. The generous offer made by the Straits Settlement to provide the necessary Japd still held good. Mr C.' G. Ammon (Labour) asked: “Does the offer from Australia and New Zealand still hold good”? Mr Amery: That does not seem to arise out of this question. I will answer it if it is put down. . Mr G. D. S. Hardie (Labour) asked whether the Government anticipated that the four-Power treaty in regard to the Pacific would not be renewed in 1931, and whether the Government now considered the present safeguards adequate. Mr Austen Chamberlain replied that he was unable to .anticipate a decision on this question, which would not arise until 1933. Nothing had so far occurred suggesting any doubt respecting the value of the treaty or suggesting that it would not be renewed. The Government believed the treaty would facilitate the settlement of any difficulties arising between the signatories. Mr Hardie suggested that, as the Washington agreement-- restricting armaments made warfare in the Pacific unlikely during the next decade, it would be better to observe a*status quo than to invite war by proceeding with the Singapore base. Mr Chamberlain replied that Singapore was not proposed as a. means of waging war, defensive or offensive, but ns a necessary link in Imperial communications. >

Mr Hardie said that, there were people in the Pacific who did not take the same viewpoint, and it was a difference in viewpoint that led to Avar. Mr Chamberlain replied : “Yes, that is exactly why Mr Hardie should be very careful in regard to the colour he gave these unfriendly suggestions.”— Renter.