SINGAPORE BASE.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 193, 16 July 1937, Page 9

SINGAPORE BASE.

VISITOR'S IMPRESSIONS. Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, July 15. New Zealand’s contribution towards the cost of the defence works at the Singapore Naval Base has been well spent, according to Mr A. E. Mabin, of Wellington, who arrived at Auckland on the final stage of his round trip from the Dominion to the East. He said that the naval, military and air resources there were a revelation. Mr Alabin was present at the opening of the huge commercial airport at Singapore on July ,12, and witnessed the arrival of 28 air liners controlled by Imperial Airways and __ the Dutch Company known as the K.L.M. The spending of well over £1,000,000 had transformed a jungle swamp into a fine aerodrome equipped with palatial offices and every conceivable accessory ; the aerodrome and its equipment could easily be adapted and used for defence purposes. After lie had seen something of the disposition of the three defence units at iSinga.pore —naval, military and air —Mr Mabin was convinced that they formed a powerful bulwark for Britain’s possessions in the Southern Pacific. “Singapore undoubtedly is the key to the East,” he added, “and New Zealanders may rest content that they have made a wise investment there.”