THE SINGAPORE BASE

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17108, 14 November 1929, Page 7

THE SINGAPORE BASE

WORK SLOWED DOWN DOMINIONS NOT CONSULTED (Elec. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (Received November 14, 11 a.m.) LONDON, November 13. In the House of Commons, Mr. A. V. Alexander said the Government! had decided to slow down work at Singapore base as much as possible, pending the live-power conference. Mr. F. G. Penny asked whether the Dominions Lad been consulted.

Mr, Alexander stated that they had been informed.

Atu. Alexander explained that the Government had given attention to the question of a continuation of Ihe construction of the work as soon as it had assumed office. In 1924 the previous Labor administration had decided not to proceed with the naval base at Singapore. Since that date, however, the action of the late Conservative 'Government had altered the situation very materially. A final ing dock had been provided a! heavy expense, and in September, 1928, a contract had been signed for the building of a large graving dock at a cost of approximately £4,000,00). Moreover, Ihe bulk of the expense up to the present time had been met by conlnhutions from Hongkong, the. Federated Malay States, and New Zealand. Their total contributions amounted to £2,113,000 together with a free gift of the site by the Straits Sett lenient. The decisions of the naval conierence might affect the use ol' this base, and under those circumstances the Government had decided that the work already contributed for at Singapore was to he slowed down as much as possible. All work that could he suspended should he suspended, and no work should he embarked upon pending the result of the fi vo-power coni'ereiice.