SINGAPORE BASE.

Waikato Times, Volume 108, Issue 18157, 23 October 1930, Page 7

SINGAPORE BASE.

IMPORTANCE EMPHASIZED. AT NAVY LEAGUE DINNER. SOME FORCEFUL SPEECHES. United Press Assn. —Elec. Tel. Copyright. LONDON, Oct. .2. The importance of the Singapore naval base, especially in view of the recent indication of a resumption of work on the dock, was emphasised and re-emphasised at the Navy League's dinner, at which Lord Lloyd presided. ‘ ■ Prince George was among the assemblage of notable people .present. The Prince proposed the toast of Lora Nelson, which was drunk in silence, it being the anniversary of his death. His Royal Highness gave a. sketch of the Navy’s important duties in times of peace, including the suppression of piracy, which he described as the oldest and most exciting form of acquatic sport.

Neod for Seourlty. Lord Lloyd, in proposing the toast of the Dominions, said: ‘‘lf the rumours that the work at Singapore is to be proceeded with are correct the decision will give the greatest satisfaction in New Zealand, Australia and Malaya. We are bitterly discouraged because no representative of the Navy, Army, or Air Force is attending the Imperial Conference to represent our defensive needs. “The business of the conference is developing into trade discussions. Trade is utterly dependent upon the Navy for security. “We have pledged to foreign Powers, for the first time since Nelson won for us the mastery of the seas, our liberty to build the • ships necessary for our safety. We must have power to insist that there should be peace.”

An Awkward Predicament. The High Commissioner for Australia, Sir Granville Ryrie, said: “We Australians feel so strongly about the Singapore base that I am justified in saying emphatically and deliberately that if it is not proceeded with we shall be in a very awkward predicament. If trouble occurred in the Pacific and Hie Suez Canal was blocked it would take six weeks for the Navy to come to protect Australia. That delay might be vital." Sir Granville paid a warm tribute to Mr J. H. Scullin, Prime Minister of Australia, for his utterances in his initial speech at the Imperial Conference. He said it was far the best of any of the Dominion delegates. He had made it clear what Australia wanted and ought to get. Why could not Mr J. H. Thomas, Secretary of State for the Dominions, and others speak out? “All this wobbling, quibbling and talking in uncertain voice round and round the subject is no good at all,” continued Sir Granville. “Why* not say: ‘We will give you this or we will not give you this?’ ’’

Throttle Value and Insurance. Sir Thomas Wilford, High Commissioner for New Zealand, said: “If the British Government does not proceed with the work at the Singapore base this year we in New Zealand shall consider we have been abandoned. Singapore is a throttle-value and an insurance. “Mr Wakatsuki (Japan) stated at the Disarmament Conference,” continued Sir Thomas, “that the erection of the base was a menace to his country. That is fudge. (Applause.) It is the alpha and omega'' of our defence. “Japan wants Singapore if Britain does not. I found when I was visiting there that Japanese owners—l do not say the Japanese Government — possessed 10,000 acres of land round our wireless station. Japanese capitalists hold 10,000 acres on a plateau overlooking our base. The Japanese own only an iron Held in Malaya. “To say, as Mr Wakatsuki did, that the building of the base at Singapore which is 3000 miles from Japan, was building it at Japan’s gates is tantamount to saying the naval base at Plymouth, mouth threaten Boston, which is 3000 miles away.” Lord Bridgeman, in proposing the forces of the Crown, welcomed the remarks of the two High Commissioners on Singapore. Sir Frederick Field, in responding, urged that the Navy be not forgotten in these days of economy.