LOCARNO PACT

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12394, 13 March 1926, Page 5

LOCARNO PACT

EFFECT ON SINGAPORE BASE QUESTION RAISED IN COMMONS FIRST LORD’S STATEMENT Bv Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. LONDON, March 11. The ex-Admiralty Secretary, Mr O. G. Ammon, speaking on the Admiralty Estimates, asked the First Lord, Mr W. C. Bridgeman, whether there was any . alteration in the Singapore policy in view of the Locarnp Pact. He understood that tho graving dock would come first and then a floating dock. Mr Bridgeman: “I always said floating dock first, and graving dock afterwards.” < Mr Ammon: “The Singapore Base can only be interpreted as an unfriendly act towards Japan.” Ministerial cries of “No.” Mr Ammon said that he Had the statements of responsible . Japanese statesmen who regarded it in that light. The fortification of moss-grown Indian ports suggested some great activity in preparation for war in those directions.

WORK EXPLAINED EXPENDITURE FOR YEAR.

Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received March 12, 7.15 p.m.) LONDON, March 11. In the House of . Commons, Mr Bridgeman explained the work connect-

ed with the floating, dock and base at Singapore. The oost would.he £226,000 for. the present year but only £96,000 would be paid by Britain, because the remainder was' derivable from the unexpended portion of Hongkong’s . £250,000 gift.' As the , construction advanced it would be possible to see to what extent the graving dock idea should be carried out, w iereon the Dominions would be consulted at the forthcoming conference. . ~ After enumerating the Dominions’ naval contributions, Mr Bridgeman said that’ Britain was grateful therefor, but would gladly welcome any increase. He generally defended economies in directions in which they were readily replaceable in the event of a crisis. OPPOSITION TO ESTIMATES MOTIONS FOR REDUCTION. (Received March 12, 9.55 p.m.) • LONDON, March 11. In the House of Commons, Mr E. Scrymgeour (Ind.) moved that the House regards the expenditure on the Navy as wasteful and fptile. Ibis was negatived by 196 votes to 113. The House then went into committee on the Navy Estimates, whereupon Mr G. Lansbury. (Lab.) moved to reduoe the vote by £IOO,OOO. He incidentally expressed the hope that the rule in the next war would be old men first. Then it would- be certain that; there would be. no war. He proceeded to read a so-called peace letter, wherein -the. signatories pledged themselves to take no part in the next whr. Viscountess Aster interjected: Not even a class war. i Angry protects were made when MrLansbury added: It is an abominable lie to say that Britain entered the Great War on behalf of Belgium. Mr Bridgeman said the speech was provocative, and the arguments in it were contemptible. The motion was negatived by 186 votes to 19.