The Guardian (And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times.) THURSDAY, -MARCH 13th, 1924.

Hokitika Guardian, 13 March 1924, Page 2

The Guardian (And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times.) THURSDAY, -MARCH 13th, 1924.

THE GATEWAY TO THE PACIFIC. Tip: .Singapore base has been in tbo air for a considerable time. At tbo moment it is more than ever in suspended animation. Tile cable news tbo other day gave some interesting sidelights on the situation. Admiral Sturd*"e of Falkland Island fame was one of the speakers in the presence of the most important five of the Cabinet Ministers who attended, the annual dinner of the British Civil Service. The gallant admiral gave it as his considered opinion that Singapore was t'he gateway to the Pacific and lie thought it ought to be defended. He asked lor the support of Australia and Now Zealand, and added incidentally “every one interested ini the China trade’’ should support it also. This was a straight-forward opinion from one who has given the subject the study of an expert. Also, be has been in collaboration with high officers of tbo Admiralty many of whom have been no less decisive in giving out their views on the matter. It seems safe, to assume that three will he no doubt about tbo views i.f the Australian and New Zealand Governments. They were communicated no doubt at the late Imperial Conference, and will, doubtless again, be repeated ; probably with greater emphasis tbo mere to impress tbo Labor Government. Tile Labor Government of its own policy is necessarily anti-militarist, and will approach all subjects of defence with a prejudiced mind. It wilY not be surprising to find the followers of the Labor Government rampant against the Singapore base, or any other aspect of defence. We notice that some of the Labor supporters are raging against the Singapore base on the grounds of expense. The argument is that the counny cannot afford the outlay! The lesson of the war has not been learned yet by these folk. They do not regard defence expenditure as an insurance against the enormous drain not only in money, but also in men, of a great war If a few millions Will avert war. hpw wise such an expenditure is, we

must now realise. The decision ot the Government is in suspense to the extent that the Dominions arc being consulted. In the interval the Prime Minister ‘has explained to the head of the Admiralty that Cabinet is unwilling to priaoed with the work owing to the state of the finances. Mr Ramsay MacDonald has developed a ready facility of expressing himself diplomatically and lie is taking up that obscure position on this subject. He does not express clearly what is in his mind, nor what i; his policy, lie hints at the policy, but leaves the final conclusion an open question—quite a sale line of retreat to reorganise or restate lii.s opinion as tin. position demands. One happy expression he made when billowing Admiral St union on the occasion in quosti.ai, was to remark that it was the Ci'il Service which was responsible for .tin, advice tendered the Government, but. the Government itself was rexponxii,:o for the policy. Unfortunately lie did not proceed to expound that policy. He marked time on the subject ami changed the subject to an appreciation of the loyalty and devoted serv*‘e of the Civil Service since the advent of Labor to power. That was very proper in its way, but it would Imve. been more to the point to have the policy propounded. That is to be defer! cd till later. The significant remark of Admiral St ill-dec to the trade w ith China, omits any specific reference to Japan. The omission is noticeable; i.or docs lie refer to the position as affecting the United States. lbo true light in which to regard the Singnp.oie base is as part and parcel ot a delenee scheme for the Empire. If the nation is to have defence—it must, be the most, effective defence-—a defence to give peace and to ensure security. The experts tell us on all sides that Singapore i s of «q ccial value to the outposts o' 1 the Empire in the l’acilic and to Briti- :i trade in those waters. 11 is of UilUe. too. because of its juxtaposition to India, ’falling all these considerations into account its ultimate accomplishment can be but a matter of time only, governed alone by circumstances anti not z.y the personal proclivities ol par tics.