SINGAPORE NAVAL BASE.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIV, Issue 931, 1 February 1924, Page 5

SINGAPORE NAVAL BASE.

CONFLICTING STORIES. NOT YET CONSIDTRED BY CABINET. LONDON, Jail. 31. The Times says that as so muny stories ala being circulated concerning tho future o' {Tie Singapore base, it may be as well to state that so far the question has not been considered by Cabinet in any form whatever. —Times.

STATEMENT BY ADMIRALTY.

LONDON, Jan. 30. The Admiralty states that it knows nothing of the statement published in a section of the London press that one of the former German docks surrendered to Britain under the treaty should be sent to Singapore in order to provide repair facilities for the largest British warships, thus materially reducing the estimated expenditure oil the Singapore base. The Admiralty asserts that the Singapore schemes as submitted to the Conservative Government have not yet been considered by the new Cabinet. Naval circles point out that the floating dock was originally towed to Chatham in sections, the other sections of the dock being added, making it suitable for Malta, in view of the battle squadron of the Atlantic Fleet shortly joining tho Mediterranean Fleet. A second ex-German floating dock would be available for Malta in the event of the larger one going to Singapore, whither it would be towed in eight- sections, thus minimising the risks of the voyage. Opponents of the scheme interpret the Admiralty’s floating dock proposal as mere y an attempt to achieve its end by gradually out-manoeuvring the Labour Government. —A. and N.Z. cable.

COMMENT IN AUSTRALIA

SYDNEY, Jan. 31. Federal Ministers state they have no information and refuse to comment on the cabled report that the British Government has abandoned the Singapore base. Sir John Monash considers its abandonment would be not a mistake, but a disaster. It would upset the whole scheme of Imperial defence, and the project is too serious to be handlod by he Government as the cabled report indicated. Mr Ley, Minister of Justice, declared that its abandonment would be a trugedy to Australia and the Empire. Something must be done, and Australia must make it clear that abandonment would mean jeopardising her future. Mr Charlton, leader of the Federal Opposition, said he was pleased to hear the news. lie was always against the pioject and he considered it was made quite unnecessary by the Washington Conference. Press Association.