SINGAPORE BASE

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLII, Issue XLII, 8 June 1923, Page 5

SINGAPORE BASE

ITS IMPORTANCE STRESSED.

VITAL TO AUSTRALIA AND NEW

ZEALAND

BY CABLE- <>REBS ASSOCIATION—COPYRIGHT LONDON, June (3. The Morning Post's naval correspondent says: "There is a movement in the House of Lords and the House of Commons to challenge the Government's decision to develop a naval base at Singapore, on the ground that the country should first be made secure from an air attack. This is equivalent to refusing to pay fire insurance because the cargo is not covered againstloss on the high seas. Fortunately the Government has a truer sense of, proportion.

"The air menace is local, but the menace to the British Empire on the'

seas is world-wide. With sea power vr& can cut off Continental air enemies from their supplies of petrol, but it

■would be fatal if we were deprived of petrol. The importance of Singapore is apparent to all who think imperially instead of parochially. The oclonies cannot be defended by aircraft alone, i Singapore lies on thej Sank of the main routes from Suez to j Australia,- New Zealand and the Far! East. - j "If the importance of Singapore is; not recognised in certain quarters in: Britain it is recognised as a vital matter in Australia and New Zealand, as Mr. Massey's speech upholding the British policy shows. A wise merchant will cover his personal risk at liome as well as his seaborne goods. To concentrate on the air menace while neglecting sea insurance is to jeopardise ' the safety of the Dominions, instead of knitting the ties of the Empire more, rfospiv and thereby promoting increased ;. Imperial security."