THE SINGAPORE BASE

Hokitika Guardian, 15 February 1924, Page 1

THE SINGAPORE BASE

TIIK GOVKHXMKNT’K DECISION. UrSTKAf.IAS AST) N.Z. CAW.K ASSOCIATION I.uNDOX. h'cb. 13. '!’! ; i. (Cvenum-nt lias decided to mi.— I.cuti the Singapore Naval oxpeiuliture pending further consideration. .Ur Ammon made the announcement in the I louse of Commons, in replying to Mr Berkeley. Commander Kenworthy said that, as was generally known, those re-pon-..jtj|e for the present (Inverninoni have always taken the view that no adequate reason had been shown tor the largo expenditure that the late Governmenl proposed at Singapore. The Government thinks it is only fight to examine the scheme ho fore annomiej 1I ,decision. Tito Government is provcdiiie with its examination, amt i»\ il-'i int‘s»iitime is not incurring un\ furlli«• t* ooinmihuouts. Commander Kenworthy asked:— • Will the Government consider the position as being wholly altered by the tcrrihlo earthquake in Japan, which puts .Japan out of the running for ten yearsJ Mr Ammon replied that that point was receiving attention. I.ord Curzon asked: “Is the Government aware that the oariluitiaUe has „ot made the slightest difference to the Japanese Government. Will Thitaiu consult, the Dominions hel'ore deciding.” Mr Ammon replied that the Government is considering all the facts of the earthquake, and is assuredly tonsuiting the Dominions. Commander Carlyon Bollairos asked for an assurance that the Government were not retarding the expenditure which the ffou.ee of Commons had already sanctioned. Mr Ammon said that he could give an assurance that the officers on the -pot have been instructed to not incur any further commitments. The Government had spent thirteen thousand sterling up to the -’Oth ol Januaij. Contracts had been signed imoliing an additional £34.000. It was impossible vet to say what was the total liability for the work* now in progress. Mr Ornisliy Gore asked:—“Do wo understand that the Government ha> coJnmunieaied with Australia ami Xev. Zealand;-” Mr Ammon replied: Tim Dominions will he consulted.

WARSHIPS AT SINGAPORE. SINGAPORE. Feh. 13 The Naval Empire Touring Squadron is here. It is attracting great attention, as thousands of natives were visiting the Fremantle depots on Sunday morning. Admiral Field expressed an opinion in an interview, that Singapore must he a naval base. Tt was one of the links in Use Empire trade upon which the Empire depended. He said that he was strikingly impressed during the tour hy tlie wonderful enthusiasm and generous welcome at every port, and by the strong feeling that the Empire must (he .Aelf-.suppfortnng, providing markets between Home and the Dominions to the prosperityofboth^^^