SINGAPORE SCHEME

New Zealand Times, Volume LI, Issue 11784, 21 March 1924, Page 6

SINGAPORE SCHEME

MR BRUCE’S REPLY BASE IN PACIFIC CONSIDERED IMPERATIVE. RECONSIDERATION URGED. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Australian and N.Z Cahle Association. March 20. Mr Bruce’s reply to the British Government emphasises the point that Australia cordially endorsee tho sentiments underlying the declaration of tho British Government that they stood for a policy of international co-opera-tion through a strengthened and enlarged League of Nations, and the creation of conditions which make an a'greoment in regard to the limitation of armaments possible. IN PERFECT SYMPATHY. Australia was in perfect sympathy with the great ideals enunciated by Mr Macdonald, but was of opinion that the method suggested by the British Government would have precisely the opposite effect and actually jeopardise the prospocte of achieving the desired aim. The existence and prestige of the British Empire were the greatest factors in maintaining the peace o 4 the world. In the councils of nations the Empire had wielded a definite influence for peace, and that influence was due primarily to its strength, and it was undeniable that the Empire's strength depended mainly on the Navy and 1 its power and its mobility. BASE IMPERATIVE. To ensure that mobility a base in tho Pacific was imperative, and without it the existence and prestige of the Empire were endangered. This would increase the ambitions of the lesser Powers, and give rise to a deep distrust throughout every portion of the EmEire, and also strike a fatal blow at the league of Nations. The Australian Government, therefore, urged that the construction of the Singapore naval base be immediately proceeded with and that its abandonment should at a later opportunity be used as a means of arriving at further reductions in armaments, SHOULD BE RECONSIDERED. Finally, they urged that the British Government Bhould reconsider a decision which was apparently arrived at on the basis of principle rather than expenditure. He, therefore, had not dealt with the question of cost. He wished to make it dear, however, that Australia was not unmindful of its obligations, and, when Parliament met, the Government would submit to it proposals for a substantial contribution towards the Singapore base. While Ministers are keenly disappointed at the abandonment of the base, which they state is vitally necessary to Australia, the opinion is expressed in other quarters that it will tend to stimulate the defence policy of the Commonwealth. ,

MUCH WORK DONE POSITION AT SINGAPORE. REIMBURSEMENT PROMISED. ■Reuter's Telwraei SINGAPORE. March 19. Tho Governor officially announced that the Imperial Government had abandoned the Singapore scheme in accordance with the reiterated foreign policy of the present Government aiming at disarmament, thq. Government retaining power to resume the work Should circumstances require it. The Imperial Government would reimburse the colony for the loss of revenue. The present position is that 32 fuel tanks have been oompleted and filled. Two others at the boosting station have been oompleted, and the foundations of twenty others in the vicinity of the proposed base have been laid. Material is ready for the erection of other large works which had been undertaken. Though tho colony voted a large sum of money recently for road construction at the base site, local opinion is not greatly concerned, as tho local expenditure has been small.

CLOSEDOWN £70,000 SPENT SO FAR. FURTHER SUM INCURRED. Australian anil N.Z. Cable Association (Received March 20, 9.30 p.m.) LONDON, March 19. In rqply to a question in the House of Commons Mr 'G. Ammon, Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty, said that the expenditure in connection with the Singapore base so far was £70,000 sterling. A further sum would be incurred) in connection with the closing down scheme. _ i The Government whips would he put on when the Government’s decision waß discussed on Tuesday. The report of the naval experts who advised' in regard to the matter would not be circulated. As regards the question of whether such 6teps should be taken as would necessitate starting the work afresh, if the Government’s successors reversed their decision, Mr Ammon said that the details in regard to the closing down work were now being considered. VENTUROUS_MEASURE FRENCH PAPER’S COMMENT. HINTS/AT NEW ALLIANCE. Reuter’s Telecrram. PARIS, March 19. The “Echo do Paris” expresses tlie opinion that the abandonment of the Singapore bare is the most venturous measure yet taken by the Macdonald Cabinet. Referring to a recent statement by Mr Bruce that Australia, in ; case of need, “would seek in the conclusion of an alliance the safeguards which Ithet Motherland cannot grant”—ab hiding to an alliance with the Unib-d States, the “Echo do Paris” says that the United States would not regard unfavourably the construction of a naval base which would help it to retain tho Philippines. The papep - adds: ' “The le-sfeon is that if the Labour Cabinet shows itself incapable of providing for the defence of the dominions, it will, with all the more reason, refuse to participate in the continental system of de fence.”