SINGAPORE VITAL TO DOMINIONS

Southland Times, Issue 23675, 25 November 1938, Page 14

SINGAPORE VITAL TO DOMINIONS

BASIS OF DEFENCE IN THE PACIFIC SUPPLY OF CAPITAL SHIPS SUGGESTED First-line naval ships, financed and maintained jointly by Australia, South Africa and New Zealand, with their regular base at Singapore, is the basic defence formula advocated by Sir George Pearce, one of Australia’s most experienced politicians, who was Minister of Defence for several terms, including the whole period during the Great War. Sir George said that the governments of other Dominions should be approached at once. Britain, he knew, would welcome and support the, move. “I have noted the Government s proposals for defence, and I support those proposals,” he said. “But at the same time I think something more is required. The present policy, as far as it has been made known, is based for the most part on the idea of war in Australia. As war on Australian territory is a possibility, the policy must of course have the support of everybody. It seems to me, nevertheless, that the ideal defence policy is to keep war out of Australia —to prevent war from coming here. , . , "How can this be done? I thmk the indications are plain. Any attack in force on Australia, even an air attack, must come by sea. That is the fundamental point. Aeroplanes which intend to operate over our coast and territory must be based on aircraft carriers, and these, in turn, must be protected by large naval forces. . “Australia is one of the nations making up the British Empire. Like all other nations in the Empire we can be attacked from the sea. The British Navy can, and will, prevent any attack on an Empire nation from European waters. Hence the only waters from which attack is possible are the Pacific and Indian oceans. . "Britain has vast interests in both these oceans, but so have Canada, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. Britain has done her part to protect her interests by providing a navy and constructing the powerful ' Singapore naval base. Her navy, however, has world-wide responsibilities, and it is said that she may not be able to detach capital ships for Singapore. In any case, none is based there. . “As is often pointed out, Canada is protected by the. Monroe Doctrine policy. The policy, however, is only a declaration by the United States against the occupation of American territory, and does not cover sea blockade or attacks on trade. The United States did not lift a finger to protect Canada’s maritime trade in the Great War until she herself entered the war in 1917. When submarines became a menace Canada appealed for the protection of the British Navy, which was given. “Among the British warships which patrolled the Canadian Atlantic coast was the Australian cruiser, H.M.A.S. Melbourne —at the cost, I may mention, of the Australian taxpayer. “If, therefore, some nation declares ■war on Britain and that war comes to the Pacific, Canada’s maritime trade will be attacked and destroyed unless it has British naval protection. LOSS WITHOUT INVASION “The position of Australia and New Zealand is similar. An enemy with command of the sea could inflict tremendous loss arid damage on both countries without invasion. If the enAmy decided on actual invasion, he could choose his point. “No matter how strong and numerous our army and air force, our vast coast line makes it impossible for us to oppose invasion effectively at all points. Feints could be made and our army and air force would be compelled to disperse their .strength. “Obviously, our best policy is one that will deter the enemy from attempting invasion.” “bouth Africa’s fate is intimateb bound up with our own. Unless strong British naval forces are at Singapore, an enemy could strike at South Africa through the Indian Ocean. “It is clear that all these nations, including Australia, face a common danger and should make common cause. Singapore is the vital point for all of them, but the base is useless without powerful naval forces. That is why I urge immediate consultation between 'the Governments concerned. “In 1934 I submitted to the Prime Minister a proposal for co-operation between Australia, Canada, New Zealand and South Africa for the provision jointly of a capital ship based on Singapore. Late in the same year, Sir Maurice Hankey, who was then secretary of the Imperial Defence Committee, and also of the British Cabinet, visited Australia. When consulted about the proposal, he said he was sure the British Government would approve. “Mr Lyons approved of my going to New Zealand to consult the Government on the matter. We met the Prime Minister and other members of the Cabinet, who said they favoured the scheme. UNFORTUNATE DELAY “Then an unfortunate set of circumstances resulted in delay. In Canada there was an election pending, with every probability of a change in Government. An Imperial Conference was approaching, and eventually it was decided to wait for that meeting. Mi Lyons and Sir Archdale Parkhill did not regard the conference as likely to entertain the proposal, and I understand they did not put it forward. “Today I believe the need for such a policy is more apparent and urgent than in 1934. Britain’s navy can prevent any serious attack or invasion on any of the Dominions from Europe. Singapore lies right on the flank of any advance from the north either to the Indian Ocean or the southern Pacific. “No invader would venture into the southern Pacific with the armada which would be required for an invasion unless he had first disposed of the capital ship or ships on his flank. “That should be the cornerstone of Australia’s defence policy—to keep war away from Australia. Capital ships based on the powerful establishment at Singapore could do the job. If the principle had been agreed to in 1934, one capital ship would by now be based on Singapore. As things are, there is none.

“The moral is obvious. Approach the other Dominions at once. All questions of finance, construction, manning, control, can be quickly disposed of once agreement on the policy is reached. “Time is the essence of the policy. Will there be time?”