BRITISH POLITICS.

Hokitika Guardian, 5 March 1924, Page 3

BRITISH POLITICS.

THE POSTCARD NUISANCE. 1 ("Sydney Sun” Cables). Si LONDON. March I. In llm House of Commons .Mr .MacDonald, in refusing to check the postcard appeals to iiicimlkm's. sab! the nuisance was Jougjtn ndi,iig and should t not worry the Commoners. THE SINGAPORE BASK, ‘‘TIMES” A VIGOROUS CHAMPION f ‘‘Tut; T’i u!,x” Sri: vn r.. j LONDON, March I. The ‘'limes” vigorously champions the ease of the Singapore base, which it says is vital to the safety of the Empire. As matters stand it is a melancholy fact that no British fleet can effectively operate in the Pacific, where without doubt, the great world issues of the future will be decided. With no base nearer than Malta, for docking and repairs, the slightest, damage to any ship would mean a return journey, and it would be several weeks before site would lie able to operate at the .scene of action. A Hoot cannot operate without a base any more than a motor ear run run indefinitely without a visit to the garage. Considering the whole safety of the "Empire depends on the Navy, it is doubtful whether, in the present tirc umslanees. the Government would he justified in sending the fleet to Eastern waters in time of a crisis. Britain would, iheroloro. he paralysed there. She might not be directly involved in a ipiarrtd, but she would have to rely on the indulgence of other countries for immunity lor her trade, the safety of Australia, and the defence of her Far Eastern possessions. which would Ik l quite an intolerable position for a great country. CONSERVATIVE MOVE. (“Sydney Sun” Cables). LONDON. March I. [ i i s understood that the most powerful commercial interests of the eimnliy ; ce behind Klaius' appointment R* chief agent of the Unionist party, indicating vgnrotis measures to secure m cliieieitt Conservative reorganisation, by the application nl business principles, lib,in joined the underground traffi" combine after successfully lighting their

attempts to introduce (minibuses in com pet it uni with Ilia in's West Ham 1 1 a lit ways, which were beater organised.