PACIFIC NAVAL BASE

Otago Witness, Issue 3611, 29 May 1923, Page 23

PACIFIC NAVAL BASE

IMPORTANCE TO AUSTRALASIA. MELBOURNE, May 21. Rear-admiral Cresswell says: "The choice of Singapore as a naval base is - wise one. It will be of greater import ance to the security of Australia and New Zealand than any on their own land, as it will have at its mercy the line of communication of an enemy’s fleets passing south. In other words, _ Singapore and its Grand Fleet will have to be eaten nip before Australia and New Zea land can be seriously menaced. A fleet in Sydney Harbour would seal the fate of the latter as a commercial port.” FLOUTING OF GOODWILL. TOKIO, May 8. The Yomiuri, the Japanese Army organ, expresses regret at the British decision to construct a naval base at Singapore. AN ANZAC NAVY. MELBOURNE, May 22. Naval circles consider the suggested Anzac. Navy quite feasible from a practical point of view should the Governments concerned approve, but the definite amalgamation of the Australian and New Zealand units are beyond the jurisdiction of the naval experts except in an advisory capacity. It is pointed out that Australia’s position as regards a self-maintained fleet is much ahead of New Zealand's, and the question of levelling the positions is an important consideration.