SINGAPORE BASE

Southland Times, Issue 19171, 15 February 1924, Page 5

SINGAPORE BASE

EXPENDITURE SUSPENDED LABOUR GOVERNMENT’S DECISION . PROPOSAL TO BE EXAMINED. (Sydney Sun Cable). LONDON, February 13. (Received February 14, 7.5 p.m.) The Government has decided to suspend expenditure on the proposed Naval Base at Singapore pending further consideration. Mr C. G. Ammon (Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty) made the announcement in the House of Commons, replying to Captain Berkeley and Commander Kenworthy. He said that, as was generally known, those responsible for the present Government had always taken the view that no adequate reason had been shown for the large expenditure the late Government proposed at Singapore. The Government, thought it only right to examine the scheme before announcing its decision, and was proceeding with the examination. In the meantime it was not incurring any further commitments. Commander Kenworthy asked would the Government consider the fact that the position was wholly altered by the terrible earthquake in Japan, which put Japan out of the running for ten years. Mr Ammon replied that it was receiving attention. Viscount Curzon, M.P., asked if the Government were aware that the earthquake had not made the slightest difference to the Japanese Government. “Will Great Britain consult the dominions before deciding?” he asked. Mr Ammon replied that the Government was considering all the facts of the earthquake. He assured the House that the Government was consulting the dominions on the matter. Commander Bellairs asked for an assurance that the Government was not retarding the expenditure which the House of Commons had already sanctioned. Mr Ammon said he could give such an assurance. The officers on the spot had been instructed not to incur further commitments. The Government had spent £13,000 up to January 20. Contracts had been signed involving an additional £34,000. It was impossible as yet to say the total liability for works now in progress. Major Ormsby-Gore asked: Do we understand that the Government communicated with Australia and New Zealand? Mr Ammon replied: The dominions will be consulted.