The Guardian (And Evening star,with which is in-Corporate the west coast Times.) TUESDAY, JULY 24th. 1923 REPAREDNESS.

Hokitika Guardian, 24 July 1923, Page 2

The Guardian (And Evening star,with which is inCorporate the west coast Times.) TUESDAY, JULY 24th. 1923 REPAREDNESS.

Tiieue was an interesting debate in the Commons last week around the question of the now naval base at Singapore, in which the whole subject of Imperial defence loomed up. Of the several speeches referred to, the cabled synopsis of Admiral Gaunt's observations seemed to put the whole matter in very concrete form. He said (wo are told in a breezy sailorlike way) sweeping all objectives aside: “You must keep in touch with the extremities of the Empire, and for goodness sake be prepared for war if you wau( to run an Empire.

You must have a bn bo aomewlioro, and there is no place better than Singapore.”

The incentive for British defence is the necessity of retaining the Empire. The British countries r.re far-flung, and naval access must be assured. The oversea countries aro particularly interested ifi the subject and no dominion more so than Now Zealand, which is the most remote part of the whole Empire. The Singapore base is a long' way from Now Zealand, but it will be the nearest base of the dimensions proposed, and situated midway in the Pacific, will bo a moral insurance for this quarter of the globe. To hold the Empire, Britain must be prepared for war—that is ready to fight should her possessions lie menaced, and all other avenues for a prono .settlement provo futile. Wo know there is the limitation of navies, ami that the League of Nations is in being to avoid war; hut we are threatened by war repeatedly. Twice this year Britain has had to attempt a mild naval mobilisation to secure the position in the Near East. What may happen nearer home in Europe, is still obscure, so the -Admiral’s dictum stands for common sense, and preparedness should be the first law of Empire. As to the Singapore base, it is for use in connection w'*h the possible needs of naval service in the Pacific. Botli Viscount Curzon and Colonol Amery scouted the idea that the base was to be established with anv idea of menacing any other Power. Its establishment is a precautionary defensive measure. Building a base is very different to building warships. The base may not move, nor may it ho used offensively. It is a stationary haven where large battleships of the Pacific may outfit as circumstances require, ami we know that tlie emergency for such purposes arises frequently in peace times. The Singapore base brings the Navy nearer to Australia and Now Zealand, and adds tr> our maritime security. This Dominion has been considering the question of submarine bases in our domestic waters, and there will fie more justification for Miclr a precaution with a British fleet well established in the Pacific. The wholo question of naval defence is 'being reviewed as a result of the experience of the war, and with the decision in favor of the retention of tlio capital ships, it is more imperative than ever to have havens of retreat where the battleships can he attended to as circumstances require. Tho Government speakers at Home replied to the suggestion that Singapore was intended to be a menace to Japan or the I'nited States. What is very palpable is that its establishment is an act of preparation for possible eventualities when the big ships which will bo coining to the Pacific take up their quarters in these waters, which internationally, might on occasion lie not ns placid as the. name they boar, implies. So to lie forewarned is to be forearmed. and that means simply preparedness.