SINGAPORE BASE

New Zealand Times, Volume LI, Issue 12015, 18 December 1924, Page 6

SINGAPORE BASE

A MEASURE OF INSURANCE BRITISH MINISTER DENIES SCHEME IS AGGRESIVE. BRITAIN DESIRES PEIACE. B.v Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright KouteT*s Tplegram LONDON, December 16. Mr W. C. Bridgeninn, First Lord of the Admiralty, in a speech at a luncheon in London, said, referring to the Singapore Base, that nothing could be further from the truth than the suggestion that the scheme was aggresive. Britain desired to retain the valuable friendship of the United States and Japan. He was sure that American and Japanese statesmen did r.ot regard the provision of the base as any kind of aggressive policy, but would look upon it as a policy of defence, leading to greater efficiency and economy in the Navy. It was simply a measure of insurance.There was no cloud on the horizon, so far as we could see at present, bub nobody could foretell the future, and we must be prepared for any unexpected turn of events.

LORD JELLICOE SILENT

BUT GIVES A HINT. Bv Telegraph ——Coovright MELBOURNE, December 17. Lord Jellicoo maintained his attitude of silence on naval defence at- a :;vic reception tendered to him. Referring, however, to the remarks of Mr W,. A. Watt, Spfeaker of the House of Repsesentatives; who declared that Singapore-was vital, and that Australia should pay her share, Lord Jellrcoe said: “It is not my place to comment on Mr IValt’s remarks, no matter how much I agree with what lie has said.”