TAKING STOCK

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LII, Issue 16208, 4 December 1926, Page 5

TAKING STOCK

DEFENCE OF THE EMPIRE CONFERENCE SPEECHES SINGAPORE SCHEME REDUCED NEW ZEALAND’S PART (Elec. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) 'Australian anti N.Z. Cable Association. LONDON, December 2. The following speech made by the Premier, Mr. Baldwin, on Imperial defence at the Imperial Conference on October 26, was issued to-night Mr. Baldwin at . ttie outset stressed the rigid adherenc* of successive Governments to tlie advisory consultative character of the Committee on Imperial defence. Throughout all its developments the elasticity of the membership of the committee enabled the Dominions and India to lake advantage of the facilities of the committee to any extent they desired. ‘"They can,” he said, “accept, modify, or reject its advice. Opportunities for personal association of the representatives of the Dominions wifh the committee since the war have not been numerous but the question of Imperial defence lias been discussed in the greatest detail at the Imperial Conferences which,'indeed; provided the opportunity for taking stock of the committee’s work. Apart from the personal attendance of the Ministers, however, the association of the Dominions with the committee since the war Iras been considerable. At present there are 50 subcommittees. dealing with the co-ordina-tion of fighting services and the auxiliary work of civilian departments. Generally the whole of this is a great field of co-ordination by the Committee of Imperial Defence. I hope the Dominions and India will avail themselves of the advantages of the recently-established Imperial Defence College.” VERY HEAVY EXPENDITURE. Referring to the Singapore naval base, he stated that the present programme of work was limited to what was essential, to enable the utilisation of the floating dock after its arrival. ' Meanwhile the Government had recently decided to adopt a reduced scheme advanced bv the Admiralty. At the same time careful investigations had been made in regard to the requisite naval base defence and plans of the ehiefs-of-staffs had been approved. The expenditure would be very heavy, even after allowing for reductions in the original Admiralty scheme. The Government came to the conclusion, after most careful consideration, that it was vital to the security of the Empire that this scheme should be proceeded with, because it was essential that the fleet should have full freedom of movement throughout the Empire. He therefore, asked the Dominions specially interested in the Far East to consider most carefully whether there was any way in which they could co-operate in the development of Singapore, either now, or within the next few years. There could bo no more valuable contribution to defence of Empire as a whole. Considerable progress had been made with continuous investigation into precautions in the event of air raids and a scheme of insurance against aircraft and bombardment. risks, in light of the war experience, had been worked out for the insurance of ships and cargoes against war risks. DOMINIONS’ CO-OPERATION. Mr. Baldwin added: “Lord Cecil presides over the trading and blockade subcommittee, which is studying all the methods of economio pressure, which were inaccurately termed blockade in the late war.” Mr. Baldwin outlined the other sub-committees’ activities, and said he hoped that as part of the general policy of improving the methods of coinnuuheation on matters of common interest it would be considered how far in the interest of co-ordination in defence the elastic machinery of the Imperial defence committee might be further used. The Home Government would certainly welcome more frequent association and closer co-operation with the committee on all matters .affecting the Dominions or the general defence of the Empire. Statements were also made at a further meeting on October 2 by Mr. Beatty on behalf of the chiefs-of-staffs committee and by Lord Birkenhead, and after subsequent meetings the discussions were resumed at a meeting of the conference on November 15, when speeches were made by Messrs. Mackenzie King, Bruce, Coates, Havenga,- Monroe, and Burdwan. AN INCREASED BURDEN NEW ZEALAND’S CONTRIBUTION The question of New Zealand making a definite annual contribution towards tho Singapore base would be submitted to Parliament at an early date, said Mr. Coates. He considered that the New Zealand Government would he prepared to increase its share of the burden that Britain had to bear to enable the sea supremacy in any particular quarter to become more efficient. The details were now being discussed with the Admiralty. New Zealand, as far as the military policy was concerned, intended to continue in full agreement with the defence committee’s proposals in regard to homogenity, organisation, material, and use of training establishments in Britain and India, and any Dominion with whom she could co-operate. New Zealand was anxious to continue air development on co-operative lines with Britain, and possibly Australia. He pointed out that the* New Zealand geographical position entered into consideration. Mr. Havenga detailed South Africa’s military system of defence, of which he approved. Coast defence was maintained at Table Bay and Simon’s Bay. The question of making Durban an adequately defended port was under consideration. South Africa aimed at keeping the military organisation as far as resources would permit, in harmony with the British Government's policy, bur no person could legally he compelled to render personal war service outside South Africa, therefore the extent of South Africa’s immediate or ultimate participation would depend on South Africa’s national interest in the war being so great that when the ernerbenev should arise, special amending

legislation would be acceptable to the country, or on the popular interest being great enough to ensure numerous volunteers. SOUTH AFRICA’S POLICY. Mr. Ilavenga said he was confident that if the circumstances were such that tiie union desired to participate in the war public opinion would be such that no difficulty would be experienced in obtaining an infantry brigade for external service, and a further effort would be forthcoming if the situation developed. It was his opinion that in the present stage of their development the policy best serving the Union, as well as the British Commonwealth was, while discharging the jiresent coast defence responsibilities to devote available financial resources to. the training and developing of the air and land forces. It was these with which South Africa would be able most effectively to assist in the case-of war, in which the Union was participating. He suggested that the committee on Imperial defence review the South African coastal defences, and consider whether on tlie assumption that it would soon be necessary to rearm or increase home coastal defence, air craft could be more efficiently and economically used, and in view of the probable nature and scale of an attack ag|inst South Africa, should also consider cognate matters. Mr. Baldwin accepted the suggestion. Mr. -Monroe said that men;- especially sea-going, were the only considerable direct contribution that Newfoundland was financially able to offer. Sir Chand Burdwan said that India subscribed to the general list of the Department, but must not fail adequately to provide for her own local defence, and burdens under her own defence unfortunately rendered it impossible that she should contribute to the Singapore base. India had accepted the necessity for maintaining uniformity in training methods and equipment throughout the Empire as far as practicable.

- AUSTRALIAN DEFENCE. ' Mr. Mackenzie King, in expressing appreciation .of the service demonstrations, said they indicated the need for all parts of the Empire to keep abreast with defence development. He proceeded to describe the Canadian defence organisation. Mr. Bruce reviewed at length what had been done by Australia in the way of defence since the passing of the 1923 conference resolutions. He said that the ordinary expenditure on the maintenance of local defenco now approximated £5,000,000. Tho Australian Government, in 1924, also approved of a developmental programme extending over five years at a total cost of £5,000,000, excluding the capital cost of naval construction. He summed up: "Australia, in the present, five-yearly period, of which this is the third year, is spending £25,000,000 in ordinary maintenance, £5,000,000 . for . .development purposes, and £6,500,000 for naval construction and aircraft equipment, which is equal -to tho annual expenditure of 21s per Acad of the population throughout the five years, but for the current year the appropriation is over £5,000,000, and the average cost is 27s 2d per head. The guiding principle on which all Australian defence preparations are based is ,(eomplcte uniformity with tho fighting services of Britain, in order, that in time of emergency, it may dovetail into any formation with which the Australian forces may bo needed to co-operate. The war establishments of the British army are accepted without modification as the war establishments of the Australian, army. , SINGAPORE ESSENTIAL. He outlined proposals for an exchange of officers for training purposes and said the system of an exchange of 'Staff officers with England and India would be regularly maintained. He pointed out that Australian officers were at that time engaged in a flight, including the East Coast of Australia, New Guinea, Solomon Islands, New Hebrides, New Caledonia, Fiji and Samoa, with the object of surveying bases for war and commercial aviation purposes, and to test the suitability of seaplanes for operation in those waters. Arrangements were being made for the provision of oil tanks at Darwin. Australia was looking' forward to becoming fully self-supporting in the near future. In regard to the provisions of equipment and munitions the air service would be equipped with the best modern styles in.the next three years. Landing grounds were being established on strategical air routes, besides grounds for civil aviation.

Mr. Bruee referred to Singapore as a question of primary importance to Australia. It was of tiro very greatest importance to every part of tlie Empire that the trade routes of the world should he ensured in the event of an outbreak of hostilities. Australia was satisfied that it was essential there should be a base in the East where ihe British could be quartered in the event of trouble arising in the Pacific, protecting the Empire territories and ensuring trade routes. Australia’s final decision was that Singapore should be the place, and it was absolutely essential. While he could for a second suggest that Australia would contribute towards the construction, in view of its remaining commitments, he promised tlie position wo'nld be discussed by the Commonwealth Parliament, and it would be for Parliament to come to a decision it thought fit. He concluded by emphasising that Australia still subscribed to the principle that every effort should be made to bring about the limitation of armaments. NEW ZEALAND’S NAVY. Mr. Coates expressed himself impressed with the service demonstrations. He was disposed to think the army had demonstrated the number of vehicles and machines that could be of practical use, not only militarily, but civilly and commercially, particularly in the overseas countries in qonnection with pioneering work. He expressed the opinion that the taxpayer was getting a most valuable asset in the army’s work apart from defence. He agreed with Mr. Bruce that it was very hard to separate the parts of the Empire, especially in the ease of dispute. Any dispute which affected one or two portions affected all. Mr. Coates asked if the burden of construction of the necessary ships could not be borne in greater proportion by the Dominions which did not consider themselves so vitally concerned. Singapore was on the basis of that principle, it seemed. Important offers of assistance from the Dominions and India should be made soon. At present it was not practical politics for New to build cruisers, but she intended to continue the policy of developing her own division of the I?oval Navy and maintain modern suitable cruisers.