SINGAPORE ADOPTS SELF-RULE PLAN

Press, Volume XCV, Issue 28265, 1 May 1957, Page 13

SINGAPORE ADOPTS SELF-RULE PLAN

New Talks On Clause In Agreement

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright)

(Rec. 10 p.m.) SINGAPORE, April 30. The Legislative Assembly today approved the Singapore self-government agreement, but refused to accept the British condition barring subversives from standing for the island’s first Parliament.

Voting was 23 in favour of the agreement and against the British clause, with opposition coming only from two members, including Mr David Marshall, the former Chief Minister.

The agreement granting Singapore full internal self-government was signed in London early this month by an all-party Singapore delegation and the British Colonial Office.

Mr Lim Yew Hock, the Chief Minister, did not announce immediately in the House what action he would now take about the controversial “subversives” clause. It is expected that further negotiations with the British Government might be started.

Mr Lim told the Assembly - earlier that "if tears could wash the shame that has befallen us, I could weep.” He was replying to what he called a malignant and unjustified attack on the agreement by Mr Marshall, who had described it as a "sell-out to the Colonial • Office.” In reply to Mr Marshall’s four- ‘ hour speech attacking the agreement, Mr Lim said: “To be a Chief Minister is to suffer more than a human being at times can bear. “I don’t want it, but the interests of the people demand that I should make this sacrifice. I am happy to make it, and I say that ridicule levelled by any member will not deter me from my duty to the people.” Mr Lim said he felt ashamed at giving way to his feelings, but attacks by Mr Marshall on former colleagues who had shown him , loyalty were too much to bear. Mr Marshall, an independent member, resigned recently from ; the governing Labour Front because he said the self-rule agreement prolonged British colonial rule in Singapore. ; Mr Lim said it was a sad ex- , perience to hear Mr Marshall ; sneering and ridiculing his formi er Ministers. It appeared that he was suffering from mental strain arising from last year’s unsuccessl ful British-Singapore constitu- , tional talks, at which Mr Mar- ' shall, as Chief Minister, led the ’ Singapore delegation. J Later, Mr Marshall announced that he would resign tomorrow from the Assembly and retire from political life.