BRITAIN'S NAVAL NEEDS.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18616, 11 July 1930, Page 9

BRITAIN'S NAVAL NEEDS.

Future Of Singapore Base. Budget. ; STATEMENT BY FIRST LORD. British Official Wireless RUGBY, July 9. The First Lord of the Admiralty Mr A. V. Alexander), in the House of Commons to-day said that the total expenditure to date upon the Singapore Base, including the floating dock, was £2,527,000. The estimated total was £8,721.000. The contributions received from the Dominions and Colonies were £1,672,000, the whole of which of which had been applied to the expenditure to date. The date of the completion of the main contract would be towards the end of 1935, but two years’ further would be required for the completion of the various works, making the final date of completion the end of 1937. Those dates were subject to the effect of any decision which might be given following a review of the policy to be undertaken, in consultation with the overseas Government's concerned. Nothing was being done at present except to proceed with the main contract; all other work, armament, etc., had been suspended. Mr Henderson replying to a question said it was hoped that the meeting of the Preparatory Disarmament Commission. fixed for November 3. would prove its final meeting, and that ths League Council would thereafter be able to suggest a date for the General Disarmament Conference.