FEATURES OF THE DEBATE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19351, 11 December 1924, Page 9

FEATURES OF THE DEBATE.

THE SINGAPORE BASE. ALLIED DEBTS TO BRITAIN. LONDON, December 10. {Received Dec. 10, at 10.45 p.m.) The moat interesting points in yesterday’s debate in the House of Commons were Singapore and the Allied debts to Britain. When the Speaker (Mr J. H. Whitley) read the references in the King’s Speech to public economy he was greeted by Labour cries of “Singapore.” Mr Lloyd George emphasised the fact that the British taxpayers were paying £130,000,000 annually on account of Allied debts, and ho asked whether Britain would continue to pay the United States while our Allies made no offer.

Mr Baldwin, replying, promised that tho question of debts would be debated next week, when Mr Churchill (Chancellor of the Exchequer) would state the Government's position. Mr Lloyd George also expressed regret that the Government had rushed to a decision regarding Singapore. It would have been better to have arranged for a consultation with the dominions to see if some agreement on the subject of contributions by the dominions could be reached.

Mr Baldwin promised that there would be an opportunity for a discussion on Singapore before the House rose. Mr Lloyd George asked whether there had been communications with the dominions on this important subject. Mr Baldwin: “We have begun already. The luestion has been raised. We have not yet come to a decision regarding the length of time over which the work will be spread, nor any arrangement regarding tho contributions to be given by Britain or the dominions immediately concerned.

Mr Baldwin also stated that the Eoyal Commission on Food would present an interim report upon meat and bread. The Daily Telegraph states that the sum which the House will be asked to vote as a first instalment for Singapore will not bo large, possibly about £70,000. Tire Telegraph’s diplomatic correspondent says: " There are three important aspects of the Singapore base which are not generally borne in mind. The first is that the Washington Agreement only runs for 10 years. There is at present no guarantee of its extension, and if it is not c, tended the communications with the dominions would be entirely without defence by a modern battle fleet failing a suitable harbour and docking accommodation. Secondly, a fleet" based on Singapore could cover not only Australia and New Zealand but the eastern approaches to India.”

The correspondent adds: “Naval opinion in Holland and the Dutch East Indies is closely following the scheme and welcomes the idea of a naval base at Singapore. An informal Anglo-Dutch naval entente in the Far East may b. realised in the not distant future.” —A. and N.Z. Cable. THE SINGAPORE BASE. DOMINION CONTRIBUTIONS. LONDON, December 9. In the House of Commons Mr Baldwin stated that the Government had not yet decided on the length of time over which tho Singapore works would spread. He said he was communicating with tho dominions in regard to the question of contributions.—A. and N.Z. Cable.

PREFERENCE PROPOSALS.

BILL TO BE INTRODUCED. LONDON, December 9. Mr L. S. Amery (Colonial Secretary) gave notice of the "introduction of a Bill to carry out the proposals of the Economic Conference. —A. and N.Z. Cable.