SINGAPORE BASE

Waipa Post, Volume 43, Issue 3328, 28 July 1931, Page 5

SINGAPORE BASE

DOMINION’S PAYMENTS RECAST.

WELLINGTON, Friday.

Three days’ debating upon the report of the Imperial Conference was brought to a conclusion in the House of Representatives last evening. The length of time spent upon Empire affairs must constitute something in the nature of a record, for the House has not for many years shown a disposition toward such expansive treatment of this subject. It was, however perfectly clear that the bottom would have dropped out of the discussion much sooner had not the party whips urged their members forward, for it seemed to be the acute desire of the Government to spin out the debate as much as possible. All things being considered, the .Premier has good reason to be satisfied both with the tone' of the speeches and the time that was conveniently occupied upon questions that for the most part rose above the level ox party considerations. Trade issues assumed major importance toward the close, and bullk purchase proposals loomed even larger yesterday. However, when Mr Forbes at last rose to reply, he gave members little encouragement concerning this form of marketing, expressing the opinion that it was surrounded by airy nothings from which little could be extracted upon which to frame a constructive marketing policy. He referred to the failure of the economic side of the Imperial Conference, pointing out that scant good could be expected to accrue with the British Labour Government tied to a policy of free trade when the dominions were leaning toward protection. In an incidental reference to the Singapore naval base, he announced, as had been forecasted, that New Zealand’s payment of £125,000 toward the total contribution of £1,000,000,000 had been reduced to £IOO,OOO, and that payment would be made over a greater number of years.