GATEWAY OF PACIFIC.

Taranaki Daily News, 10 March 1924, Page 5

GATEWAY OF PACIFIC.

WHAT SINGAPORE MEANS.

NO ADMIRALTY PRESSURE.

STATEMENT BY PREMIER.

By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Received March 9, 5.5 p.m. London, March 7.

Addressing a' distinguished company at the annual dinner of His Majesty’s civil service, including the Duke of York, Mr: Ramsay MacDonald, Lord Chelmsford, Mr. J. R. Clynes, Mr. Philip Snowden, and Mr. J. H. Thomas, Admiral of the Fleet Sir Doveton Sturdee declared that Singapore was the gateway to the Pacific. He thought they ought to defend it, and Australians, New Zealanders, and everyone interested in the China trade, should help them.

Mr. MacDonald, who subsequently proposed the toast of the civil service, referred to Press reports about Admiralty pressure with regard to the Singapore scheme. He * remarked that, when he saw the Admiralty officers, in whom they had the greatest confidence, being used as pawn* in a political game, he thought it was his duty, as head of the responsible Government, to protect the civil service, which was responsible for advice, but the Government was responsible for the policy. Any newspaper attacks must, therefore, be directed against the latter. The Premier concluded by paying a tribute to the loyalty and whole-hearted devotion shown by the civil service since Labour’s advent to power.

Sir Oswyn Murray, Permanent Secretary to the Admiralty, in responding, remarked that the tendency of the* present Ministry to decide important questions for themselves made for good administration and prompt decisions.

PRESS COMMENTS. “PREMIER LEARNS A LESSON.” Received March 9, 5.5 p.m. London, March 8. The Daily Express says that the Admiralty crisis on the shelving of the Singa'pore project, averted an interview between the Premier and Admiral of the Fleet Lord Beatty. The former explained that the Cabinet was unwilling to go on in view of the present state of finances. Earl Beatty promised that the Board of Admiralty would accept the decision. The Daily Express adds: “The Dominions may protest, but Cabinet does not expect serious difficulties.” The lobby correspondent of the Daily Chronicle, referring to Singapore says: “Mr. MacDonald has learned a lesson as to how far he can go with impunity. The debate on the building of six cruisers made him pause, ’but the last word on the subject has not yet been heard. Labour opposition is expected when the navy vote comes on for discussion next week. The Singapore question will then probably be ventilated.”

NO SUPPORT FROM PARTY. London, March 7. The Daily News says that there is no doubt the Singapore scheme ha* been dropped. The Labour rank and file warned the Government they would not support it. Therefore, to surrender to the Admiralty would cost the Government its life? It i* suggested that the Admiralty will insist that the Government shall publicly declare that the navy does not assent to the abandonment.

In the House of Commons, Major Sir Morrison Neil gave notice of his intention to ask the Prime Minister whether, since the Government assumed office, there had been any further exchange of views with the Dominions concerned as regards the construction of the Singapore dock and whether he proposes to submit these considerations to the House of Commons.

Speaking at a Civil Service dinner. Admiral Sturdee urged the necessity of defending Singapore. Mr. MacDonald said he did not agree with everything Admiral Sturdee said, and protested against the newspapers Ueing Admiralty officers as political pawns in connection with Singapore. Attack* must be directed against the Government who were responsible for the policy.