SINGAPORE BASE.

Wairarapa Age, 21 March 1929, Page 6

SINGAPORE BASE.

CRITICISM IN THE COMMONS LONDON, March 19. In the debate on the Naval Estimates, on a vote of £1,097,000 far naval works and buildings, Mr C. S. Ammon (Lab.) moved a reduction owing to the expenditure on* the Singapore Base, which alarmed other nations and violated our peace protestations. The First Lord of the Admiralty,, Mr W. C. Bridgeman, replying, said that Singapore was a pivotal point enabling the fleet to be more mobile. The total cost was reduced by £3,000,000 to £7,750,000, to which Hong Kong, New Zealand and Malaya had made contributions. Australia had refused to contribute, as she intended to build , two cruisers instead, and,one for the Australian Navy. Commander Kenworthy (Lab.): “Sydney-would be a much better battleship base than Singapore. The Malacca Straits are easily defensible by submarines and mines. It is very likely that the next Washington Con- . ferenee will declare battleships obsoIbt£, making the Singapore Base useless. ” The amendment was rejected by 146 votes to 73, and the vote carried.— ( (Australian Press Association—United Service.)