SINGAPORE NAVAL BASE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20420, 23 November 1929, Page 13

SINGAPORE NAVAL BASE.

EIGHTS OF DOMINIONS.

OPPOSITION DISSATISFIED.

REQUEST FOR FULL DEBATE.*

By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. (Received November 22, 6.5 p.m.) LONDON, Nov. 22. Owing to what is regarded as tho unsatisfactory naturo of tho Government's replies in tho House of Commons last evening to the questions asked about the Singapore naval base Mr. L. S. Amery, ex-Secretary of Stato for the Dominions, says tho Conservatives intend to ask for a full debate on tho subject. Speaking to tho motion for an adjournment Captain R. A. Eden (Conservative) again raised tho question of the base. Ho complained of tho attitude adopted by tho Government in arriving at its decision. New Zealand, Australia, Hong Kong and the Straits Settlements had all generously contributed toward the cost involved in tho construction of tho base yet tho Government, without bothering to consult tho Dominions or tho Colonies, had abruptly decided to change the accepted policy. Tho fullest information ought to bo given to every part of the Empire before any such change was made. Mr. Arthur Ponsonby, Under-Secretary for tho Dominions, explained that there was no chungo in policy, but merely a precautionary measure—a provisional step —in viow of possible eventualities, such as a decision by tho Five Powers Naval Conference. The Governments of tho Dominions and Colonies were informed, but not consulted, at tho earliest possible moment.

The Under-Secretary undertook that there would bo tho closest collaboration with tho Dominions when there was a decision as to policy and there would be the fullest consultation. The Government considered the Dominions had every right to that now they had achieved full nationhood. The Government did not regard this as an occasion for consultation, but it would take place if eventualities should prove that it was necessary to make a chango in policy. Mr. Amery said the reply involved the conduct of tho Government in a complete fog. Obviously there must be fuller discussions.