SINGAPORE BASE.

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 3 July 1925, Page 5

SINGAPORE BASE.

EXTENT OF OPERATION’S

PLANS NOT YET COMPLETE

BY CABLE—PRESS ASSOCIATION—COPYRIGHT LONDON, July 1.

Speaking in the House of .Lords, Lord Stanhope said the extent of development ot Singapore bas was still under consideration. The Government had not reached a decision regarding a graving dock. , The Admiralty considered it to be cheaper to build a new dock than to enlarge any existing commercial dock. The Government did not intend to make a great base like Portsmouth or Devonnort, but was considering where it was possible to reduce the original plan in accordance with what the country was able to afford.

During the debate the Earl of Balfour said the fundamental question he had never heard answered by the opponents of the base was whether any worse economy was conceivable than spending sums to refit the fleet, and yet not spending in addition a sum to make it available wherever British possessions needed it. He asked how anyone could think that Singapore menaced Japan, yet simultaneously not think that Japan menaced Australia. The Earl of Balfour said there was a vast military force in Japan, but there was no question of there ever being a military force at Singapore of menacing strength, either against Japan or any other Power. The force there was only of use defensively. He elaborated the old argument that the best wa.v to ensure peace was to bo prepared" for war. although he was most inclined to believe that we were beginning a great peace era. The discussion then terminated.