SINGAPORE BASE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17343, 16 July 1924, Page 6

SINGAPORE BASE.

DISCUSSION IN HOUSE OF

LORDS.

“ A NEW WEAPON.”

&S relesrjLpii—Press issoc-aiioa—Copyriff&i Australian and N. 25. Cable Association. LONDON, July 14.

Tn the Houso of Lords, Lord Ch-slms-ford, First Lord of the Admiralty, re-

plying to a quesGovemment ' Was not standing still with reference to the Singaporej proexploring the eituMacDonakl’s statement in March, Jap an, F r a n e© and Italy must have considered

the position. Lord Haldane admitted that Singapore was wholly outside the boundary Used by the Washington Conference, and also admitted the displeasure of Australia and New Zealand at the Government's decision. The question was the effect on the Governments general foreign policy if a new base were established, which might be an instrument of offence as well as of defence. something dominating the whole Pacino. The Government was endeavouring to keep the Na'.-y efficient, Lord Haldane added, but the Singapore base proposal went beyond that, and added a new weapon, which it was not good for the Navy to possess. 'Tho establishment of a r.e?/ base would bo irreconcilable with the Gov eminent’s foreign policy, which aimed at making the worktoetfcer. That policy might fail, but it was the policy 'by which the Government meant to stand or fall.

The Marquis of Linlithgow said tliaii tha country had not been treated fairly with reference to Singapore. He was of opinion that the abandonment of the scheme was more a gesture to the Labour extremists than to any foreign Power,