SINGAPORE BASE

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Issue 2, 8 July 1940, Page 6

SINGAPORE BASE

STRENGTH OF DEFENCES IMMEDIATE DANGER Impressions of Singapore and Malaya in general were given to members of tine Hamilton Rotary Club at the weekly luncheon by Dr. N. Alexander, professor of physics at Haffles College, Singapore. Dr Alexander dealt with .the administration in that peninsula, historical and geographical features and population. There Were, he said, 4 000.000 to 5,000,000 people in the peninsula and there were, fewer than 10 000 Europeans in Singapore. n the rest of the country there were about 2000 Europeans. Although the community was mixed there were very few racial differences. "Singapore is very strongly defended, on account of the naval base being there," said Dr. Alexander. "The fleet is not always stationed there, but uses Singapore as its base. The island of Singapore is separated from the mainland by a stretch of water about half a mile wide, And many of the other islands nearby are also heavily fortified. Among these islands are a number which are owned by the Dutch. Singapore would be a 'tough nut to crack," especially by direct attack. In fact, by .that means it would ailmost be impossible to take, although if it were cut off it would be in a dangerous position. No Immediate Danger. "It can be understood that the Japanese would like to have a naval or fiir base in the south of IndQ< China, for that would bring them 'much nearer to Singapore. The Japanese menace ;,is certainly getting nearer, but there does not seem j to be much immediate danger. There 'lire 3000 or 4000 Japanese in Singapore, and I think they are by nature •fifth coloumnists.? They are trying to get all the good positions and many of them endeavour to buy up plantations near naval bases and land near railways tunnels. However, those in Singapore do not appear to be a menace. The speaker stated that approximately 60 per cent of the world's rubber and about- 30 per cent of the world's tin were produced in Malaya. These factors formed the greatest contribution that the peninsula could make towards the Avar, effort. The dollar exchange with America •was considerable. •