COLONEL REPINGTON.

Hokitika Guardian, 15 May 1923, Page 2

COLONEL REPINGTON.

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. LONDON, May 14. Colonel Repington, in the “ Daily Telegraph,” contributes an article on “ Anzae Interests in Pacific Bases.” Ho says that Colonel Amery, having secured a vote for a naval base at Singapore, will not hurry to sign the contracts until the Imperial Conference reconsiders and abjudicates upon this important matter. “We are usually very willing to accept the Admiralty opinion, but a new naval base opens tip a number of questions. Singapore lias not the importance of the Panama or Suez canals, or Gibraltar or the English Channel. There are numerous other routes from tho Indian Oc-ean to the Pacific. If we were at war with Japan, and our Grand Fleet was preparing to go to Singapore, it is not conceivable that the Japanese would not snap up the base before our fleet arrived. Even if the Grand Fleet were on the spot, it is doubtful if Singapore offers the resources of coal, oil, food and other necessaries for a big offensive mission, and the ports of Australia and New Zealand arc a long way off. What we should seek in the Pacific is the defence of the Dominions and the preservation of their maritime communications. It would be as sensible to go to Iceland for the defence of the English Channel as to go to Singapore to defend Anne trade. Tin. silk, and other articles from China- and Japan we can do without. What concerns us is Anzac meat and wool, which would probably come via the Cape, if a fleet of hostile submarines were lurking in the Archipelago between Singapore and Australia. Ahoie all, our object should he to protect Australia and New Zealand from attack. 1 can name no better place than Sydriev Harbour for tho assembling of the Grand Fleet for such an object-. There the fleet would lie among our own piople with all their resources at its back There and at Melbourne, the troops could bo readily assembled, and the fleet would he within easy distance of New Zealand if ft were threatened. We need at Singapore and Port Darwin liases for light craft such as cruisers. ocean-going submarines, and aircraft, with restricted systems of defence in this connection. Mr Asquith s criticism is important, as he attended the Defence Committee for many years. If Mr Asquith is right, then we shall waste time and money upon the Admiralty scheme. I do not think the plan takes into account the war atmosphere and legitimate anxieties ot til? Anzaes when threatened by a. Great Power. Their long coast line and many points open to attack will call the Grand Fleet towards thorn on the first threat of war. They can only be asked to equip a harbour in their own territory for a preliminary war station of the fleet. By going to Singapore we seem to have, more regard for our ( hma -trade than for the defence of the Dominions, and wo cannot expect to find the latter’s interest sufficiently amused t 0 make sacrifices to further the plan. A great naval base for the 1 ncifie should he near the centre ot the pouei of Australasia.”