SINGAPORE NAVAL BASE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20307, 15 July 1929, Page 11

SINGAPORE NAVAL BASE.

INTENTIONS OF LALOUIJ.

FEAR OF ABANDONMENT. HEAVY WASTE INVOLVED. Australian and N.Z. Press Association. (Received July 11. 5.5 p.m.) LONDON. July 1.3. The belief is growing that the Labour Government contemplates a drastic modification, or the abandonment, of the Singapore dock scheme. Commentators point out, that the cancellation of the work now would obviously involve a heavy waste of money, besides reducing tlio industrial, conditions at Singapore to something like chaos. The expert view is that the floating dock will be useless without repair facilities on shore. To leave the base in an unfinished condition, without providing adequate defences, would saddle the Empire with a grave military liability.

The naval expert of the Daily Telegraph says the abandonment of the scheme would evoke intense indignation in- Australia and New Zealand. It goes without saying, moreover, lie remarks, that there would arise the delicate question of how to deal with the contributions in cash and kind which the overseas Governments have made toward the cost of the dock —such as the Malay States' £2,000,000, New Zealand's £1,000,000 and Hongkong's £250,000.

Part of the money already has been expended or hypothecated.