SINGAPORE.

Wairarapa Age, 25 March 1924, Page 5

SINGAPORE.

A VIGOROUS CRITIC. NAVAL CO-OPERATION RISKED. (Press Association — Copyright/? London. March 23.—Mr L. C. M. S. Amery,- formerly First Lord of the Admiralty, writing in the “ Sunday Times,” emphasises that the abandonment of Singapore is not only flouting the Dominions, and causing a belief that the resolutions of the Imperial Conference are as nothing compared with the claims of party politics. It is a notice to the Dominions that we are prepared to leave their protection to chance, and even to abandon them. 11 What will the Dominions feel if Britain disposes of questions affecting their security with Pacifist generalities? Eventually the navy must be sustained by Imperial co-operation, Britain and the Dominions building up navies capable of combining into a single fleet and rendering mutual help. If we refuse such an arrangements,- as the abandonment of Singapore suggests, we destroy the whole basis of naval co-operation, and this will lead to disaster for all.”—(“Sun.”)

ONLY POSTPONED. PART OF DISARMAMENT PLAN. London, March 2.—ln an article endorsing the Government’s Singapore decision, Mr J. L. Garvin, in the “Observer,” expresses the hope that Australia and New Zealand will realise that the project is not absolutely abandoned, but is postponed, in order to strengthen the Prime Minister’s efforts to bring about a definite degree of general disarmament. If no reciprocity is secured, the strengthening of Singapore will be unavoidable. The writer stresses that Japanese development is still in the military expansionist phase,- while Singapore is strategically the throttle-valve of the whole English-speaking world. The capture of Singapore by Japan would make effective Anglo-American cooperation in the Far East impossible in the event of conflict between Japan and the white races, which all sane men profoundly pray will never arise; and Japan would have an excellent chance of establishing sovereignty over China and all the East Indies.— (Reuter.) CONSERVATIVES TO CHALLENGE. (Received 7.5 p.m.) London, Mar. 23.—The Conservatives will challenge the Singapore decision during the discussion on the navy estimates on Tuesday. The majority of the Liberals are practically certain, to support the Government.

A White Wiper is being issued on Monday containing the Dominions’ representations.—(A. and N.Z.)