SINGAPORE BASE.

Hokitika Guardian, 10 March 1924, Page 2

SINGAPORE BASE.

IUSTUAMAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. A COMPROMISE. LONDON, March 9. It is reported Cabinet is compromising the question of the Singapore base. There will fie no expenditure thereon during ■ 192!. LONDON, March 7. Speaking at the Civil Service Dinner, Admiral Sturdce urged the necessity of defending Singapore. MB MACDONALD’S REPLY. Mr Ramsav MacDonald said he did not agree with everything that Admiral Si (mice bail said, and that he protested against newspapers using tlie Ail- —• ini rally officers as political pawns in connection with Singapore. Ihe titlarks must he directed he said, against tin- Government who were responsible 'w for the policy as to Singapore. LONDON. March 8. In the House of Commons, Major g,, VJnni ou Ned gave notice of Ids intention to ask the Prime Minister whether, since the Government assumed office, if there had been any exchange of views with the Dominions as regards tlie eeiistruetion ol a .Singapore dock, and whether he proposed to submit, these communications to the House of (’ominous. MB MASSEY’S REPLY. WELLINGTON. March 10. Tlie Prime Minister of New Zealand labs drafted his reply to the (Otiinimiietilion fie received from the British Government regarding the Singapore Base, but as tlie correspondence is martiod "confidential” Mi Massey does lo t intend to make public his reply, winch is going forward to London immediately. It may be assumed that Ni-w Zealand’s .reply .in regard to Singapore "ill he a reaffirmation of lie Dominion’s previous attitude as ex-pre-ed by Mr Massey at the Imperial Cr nfc-rencc and in his subsequent public ut iorniwes. Throughout. Mr Massey ha- exnressei! bis (on fidenee tliai the fie tificatioM of Singapore would ho precis ded with. It i< 1 1 is view that the matter is of such supreme importance in tin' protection of the seaborne trade of (be Empire that it should he above aiid beyond ptuly. He lias accepted till' doctrine propounded by Lord Jelji, on. tile greatest authority on naval dele nee in the Empire, that Australia | Now Zealand could not he eonsid.r« , I safe until Singapore became fortified and a naval base established there.