DEFENCE OF EMPIRE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19470, 28 October 1926, Page 9

DEFENCE OF EMPIRE.

LATEST DEVELOPMENTS FACTS FOR CONFERENCE. NAVY AND THE PACIFIC. BASE IN THE FAR EAST. DOMINION CONTRIBUTIONS. By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright. (Received 5.S p.m.) A. and N.Z. LONDON, Oct. 2G. As was the case in 1923, tho delegates to tho Imperial Conference at to-day's sitting to deal with Imperial defence were simply made conversant with the latest developments in connection with the problems of naval, military and aerial de-* fence. For some days, probably weeks, the Dominion Prime Ministers will use the intervals between the sittings of the conference to pay visits to the executive heads of the several defence departments. They will devote a considerable portion of the time to naval matters at tho Admiralty. After theso investigations have been completed tho main problems of defence will be taken up again at a plenary session of the conference, when the defence discussions will be corfcluded. The British Government intirpates that a general public announcement will be made. Th Earl of Birkenhead, Secretary of State for India, contributed a weighty statement at to-day's session relating to India's frontier problems. He referred specially to the delicate position on the Afghan frontier, which is the result of Bolshevik propaganda. Singapore Naval Base. The Singapore base question is understood to havo loSmed fairly prominently at to-day's discussions, though not as a primary issn. - * in its relation to Australia and New Zealand. Stress was rather laid on tho new circumstances arising out of the transference of the centre of naval strategy from the North Sea to the Pacific. In this connection reference is said to havo been made to the prominent part Australia is taking in providing an adjunct to the British fleet in Southern waters. Nothing was said to justify the misgivings which at various times have been expressed as to the ultimate completion of the Singapore naval base. It is gathered that a hint was dropped to the effect that Empire contributions toward the cost of the base, spread over 10 years, would be welcomed to supplement the gift from tho Federated Malay States of £2,000,000. New Zealand's Responsibilities. The Prime Ministers of Australia and New Zealand, Messrs. S. M. Bruce and J. G. Coates, may bo expected later to give their full approval to the Singapore base scheme. When the question of financial contributions arises Mr. Brnco will no doubt point out tha changed circumstances as compared with 1923, because when tho Mac Donald Ministry definitely announced the abandonment of the project Australia adopted an alternative scheme. This was to considerably strengthen her own fleet, which involved a substantial financial burden. Australia's ability to contribute toward tho Singapore base will, therefore, bo presented to the conference in that light. Mr. Coates is expected to intimate New Zealand's willingness to mako an increased contribution toward Imperial defence within the capacity of her population to pay. He will probably intimate his readiness to leave it to the conference to decide the manner in which an increased contribution could best bo utilised. New Hebrides Condominium. Australia and New Zealand, jointly with Britain, are concerned about the New Hebrides condominium, which a special committee is to consider. It will, incidentally, be pointed out that notwithstanding tho fact tho new president of the condominium—which was constituted 17 years ago, but has never functioned—arrived at the island in February the court has not sat or considered the matter. In any case, the difficulty of approximating the views of the French authorities to those of the British Commission will be emphasised. A striking instance of the problems which arise from the dual control of the island is that an influential French company is operating at the New Hebrides almost to the exclusion of British trading interests. When the latter combined and' prepared an extensive organisation to buy out tho French competitor tho French Government promptly intervened and vetoed the whole matter. These representations, it is felt, will strengthen tho claims of Australia and New Zealand for a partition of the island into two distinct spheres of influence, or a mutual exchange which would leave the New Hebrides to one party in exchango for other territory.