SINGAPORE BASE.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIV, Issue 806, 8 September 1923, Page 10

SINGAPORE BASE.

ITS GREAT PROTECTIVE VALUE

TO NEW ZEALAND AND AUS-

TRALIA

Speaking at a farewell social at Lower Huft on Wednesday night, Mr T. M. Wilford, M.P., Leader of the LiberalLabour Party, stated that he was going to the East for two reasons —first, ror a much-needed rest after his Parliamentary labours; and secondly, because he wanted to see for himself what was going on at Singapore with regard to the new naval base that was to bo established there. Referring to tho great protective value of such a base to New Zealand and Australia, Mr Wilford said that he was sure as ho stood there that we must have some protective force near at hand. Any great naval power that attacked this country or Australia could smash every port that we had. But if the British Navy had a'great base at Singapore, any hpstUe fleet that came to attack us pould never hope to get back home again past such a base; and ho was very sure that no great Power woiild send its fleet to attack us if it could not got back home. (Applause.) Tho Labour Party had opposed the vote £IOO,OOO last session as a contribution by New Zealand to the Singapore base. But if we could defend our nearths and homes our rights and liberties, and all that we held dear for £IOO,OOO, whiph meant only Is 8d por head of the population, the people of New Zealand would not grudge it. (Loud applause); and if they found any Labour man who begrudged it, he would be very pleased to let him have his Is Bd. (Laughter and applause.)