POWERFUL BULWARK

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19377, 15 July 1937, Page 11

POWERFUL BULWARK

SINGAPORE NAVAL BASE N.Z. VISITOR IMPRESSED (Per Press Association.) AUCKLAND, last night. New Zealand’s contribution towards the cost of the defence works at Singapore naval base has been well spent, according to Mr. A. E. Mabin, of Wellington, who arrived at Auckland on the final stage of his round trip from the Dominion to the East. He said that the naval, military and air resources there were a revelation. Mr. Mabin was present at the opening of the huge commercial airport at Singapore on July 12, and witnessed the arrival of 28 air-liners controlled by Imperial Airways and the Dutch company known as the K.L.M. The spending of well over £1,000,000 had transformed a jungle swamp into a fine aerodrome equipped with palatial offices and every conceivable accessory. It was evident from what he had observed and heard that, if necessary, the aerodrome and its equipment could easily bo adapted and used for defence purposes. After he had seen something of the disposition of the three defence units at Singapore—naval, military and air —Mr. Mabin was convinced that they formed a powerful bulwark for Britain’s possessions in the Southern Pacific. . “Singapore undoubtedly is the key to the East,” he added, “and New Zealanders may rest content ithat they have made a wise investment there."