SIGNS OF TENSION

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 206, 16 September 1937, Page 8

SIGNS OF TENSION

Our Own Correspondent.)

Aucklander at Singapore ' f INTEREST IN NAVAL BASE

(From

AUCKLAND, Last Night. Impressions of Singapore were given by Mr. W. Bowker, of Auckland, who, in company with Mrs. Bowker, returned by the "Wanganella from an extended visit to the East. The trouble which kad arisen between China and Japau, he said, was ihe main topic of conversation in the East, but outwardly Singapore was cairn, and up to the time of ki3 departure none of the refugees from Shanghai had reaehcd there. . hlr. Bowker sam that there were many signs of activity at Singapore, whero was now the groatest naval baso in the East, and an airport which could only be described as marvellous. It had now bccome a central point for the flying services of the world. The Aucklander added that evcryone who went to Singapore was interested in the naval base, but sightseeing was not encouraged, and the rmse had to bc viewed from a distance. Ono could sco, however. the great oil' tanks and workshops, which spread over a large area, and British crnisevs and destroyers lying in the liarbour. When he was in Singapore visitors were boing warncd not to attempt to go to Shanghai, aud that if tliey did so they went at their own risk. The inajoritv of visitors were keeping away t'rom t-liat part of China. A visit to Java convineed Mr. Bowker that the trade there was very prosperous and he was iufonned that it had picked np a lot (h rough tlie Dutcli [icople going o(f tlie gold standard. It was obvious that Australia was now getting a lot of the Eastern trade, but

there was little sign of New Zealand gaining a trade footing. Mr. Bowker 's trip extended over two months and a-half, ineluding ll 'days spent at Singapore.