SINGAPORE AGAIN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18762, 16 July 1924, Page 8

SINGAPORE AGAIN.

It is evident that Britain's Labour Government, although it made up its mind some time ago concerning the Singapore base, *is losing the courage of thalb • ■ opinion. Lord Haldane has announced that the Government is prepared to sta.nd or fall by—not its decision to leave Singapore undeveloped as a baße for capital ships, but something not quite so definite —a foreign policy that in general aims at making the world better. A noble aim, and, in party politics, a comfortably safe one! Who with clear conscience could vote against making the world better ? But, so far from making Singapore any longer a test question, the Government is not standing still—with its back against the wall, it is to be understood—but exploring the situation. It makes acknowledgment of the displeasure with which Australia and New Zealand have viewed the reversal of the previous Government's determina tion to equip Singapore as a firstclass base. That, is .a discovery, without a doubt, for it will be remembered that the Labour Government's earlier attitude to Singapore was decided before the Dominions had been heard. They had been asked for their views, • but the Government, according to its own words, was determined to give no heed to their representations. Since then a wiser regard for the opinions of the British overseas has shown itself—a little timidly, but with promise; and the protests of Australia and New Zealand may yet prevail. But the Government spars for time, suggesting that the Washington pact might be broken by the development of the base. How hollow this suggestion is may be gauged from the confession of Lord Haldane that' Singapore is outside the limits' dealt with at Washington. . Nevertheless, the United States, France, Italy and Japan must be consulted before a final decision is made. Meanwhile, the Government acknowledges its desire to keep the navy efficient. Efficient for what? the curious will ask. If efficiency for Pacific defence be meant, then a capital-ship base at Singapore must be constructed. The navy's task, it may be safely said, has a vital relation to trade routes and Imperial communications in these waters, although the Government may be extravagantly icaiiul of an offensive intention being imputed by other nations. When the Government's exploration is over, this fear will be proved to be without foundation.