NAVAL BASE DECISION.

Hokitika Guardian, 3 May 1923, Page 1

NAVAL BASE DECISION.

AISTKALIAN AND N.Z. CAItLE ASSOCIATION. LONDON, May 2 When tlie House of Commons vis in committee on the naval estimates. Mr .Moused said that they were asking lor the means to develop the naval I. use at ■Singapore to eater for the needs of modern capital ships.- The estimate for this work, lie said, had been cut down by one and a half millions fo nine millions. the spending of which was spread over a decade. Air Lambert moved a nominal reduction in the vote, lie opposed the construction of such a naval base at Singapore for which no case had been loiule (jo t.. Tlie (jiieslioli. ffe said, <>u<Rit to be consieied in its relation R> the League of Nations, eilurwise they were treating the League nuivcnant ns a scrap of paper. He asked how was it possible to maintain communications between the Home country and tins naval base ten thousand miles away.

Captain Hay also opposed tlie Singapore project and lie asked if Britain were fortifying Singapore against America or Japan. AIT Benny said lie considered it would lie suicidal not to prepare for the eventuality of war. The decision to establish this base af Singapore was an extremely wise une. Air Dnrbys’iii'o urged that Britain should take the lead in the League of Nations instead of continually talking about “insuring against war.” From bis experience ol the building operations at. Singapore, he thought “we will be jolly lucky if wo get out of such a scheme under twenty millions.” Lord Curunn said"they must prepare against war or being weak, they would invite attack. The Government were acting wisely in' providing such a base at tlie gateway of the East.

Mr Asquith said he viewed this proposal with grave apprehension, both on strategic and financial grounds. lie would like u fuller knowledge of .‘lie genesis of the scheme and ol flit mi'id advice upon which it was put ionvard. Apart from the expense ol establishing this base what would be the nnUiiC of the garrison necessary lor its defence and what strange strategic advice the Admiralty acted upon 'i '1 licitsole justification must he that the base must put Britain in n better position, not for aggression, but Jor U»e ion of the sea borne trade, and possible to defend the Dominions against possible attack. The proposal might be deferred till the Imperial Conlercnco met.

Mr Gaunt said that Britain could not afford to stay her hand till the league of Xatioiis functioned. Colonel A mere. replying for the Go vciniueut. pointed out that Britain hat. disarmed more completely than any great Power which participated in the Great War. The strength of the British Empire was an essential iacloi to the League of Nations. The Singapore base was part of tho essential equipment of the Navy, which must be mobile. and must have a chain ol fuel and repair stations. It was no more a menace to Japan than Portsmouth was to France. The Imperial Conference had approved of the scheme in 1921. The subject had been closely investitrated and reinvestigated for three vears. The present Government had confirmed its predecessors’ views. The scheme was not contrary citing to t n League of Nations or to the Mashington"'Treaty. It was because the Navy had been so largely reduced that fu.l •ind repairing stations were needed. Mr Lambert's amendment was defeated by 253 to 94. The vote was carried by 2(4 to 01.

PRESS COMMENT. LONDON. May 2. The •‘Dailv Express’' says the Naval strength of the British Empire is to be moved from the North Sea to the Far East. Singapore will become the ~,‘eat "naval base of the future. There is no question of preparing for a new „. a ,. it is merely a form of insurance. The transcendent importance of such naval base at Singapore, from a political and strategic viewpoint, is obvious. If Gibraltar is the door of the Mediterranean, assuredly Singapore is the gateway for ocean traffic westward to the Pacific. A strong fleet at could practically sever commercial communication between Euiope the Far East. Moreover, bmga;:fettb?o r ne base from which the defence of Australia can be assured.