SINGAPORE BASE.

Hokitika Guardian, 20 March 1924, Page 3

SINGAPORE BASE.

[ R euters Te r,eg rams.]

SINGAPORE GOVERNOR’S STATEMENT.

V~'' SINGAPORE, March 19. The Governor officially announced that the Imperial Government lias abandoned the Singapore scheme in accordance with its reiterated foreign poiley. The present Government is aiming at disarmament, but retaining the power to resume the base should the circumstances require. The Imperial Government would reimburse the colony for the loss of lcvenue. The present position is that thirtytwo fuel tanks are completed and filled. Two others at the boosting station have been completed and the foundations for twenty others in the vicinity of the proposed base Cave been laid, while material is ready for the erection of other large works which are to lie undertaken.

Though the colony had voted a large rum of money recently for road construction at the base site, local opinion is not greatly concerned as local expenditure lias bean small. Mil BR UCE’S REPLY. MELBOURNE, March 20 Mr Bruce’s reply to the British Government emphasises that Australia cordially endorses the sentiments underlying the declaration of tho British Government that they stooil for a policy of international co-operation through a strengthened and enlarged League of Nations and the creation of’ conditions which would make agreement in regard to limitation of armaments possible. Australia was in perfect sympathy with the groat ideals enunciated by Mr MacDonald hut is of opinion that the methods suggested by the British Government will have precisely the opposite effect, and actually jeopardise the prospects of achieving the desired aim. The existence and prestige of the British Empire were the greatest factors in the maintaining of the peace of the world. In the councils of nations, the Empire had wielded a definite influence for peace and that influence was due primarily to its strength. It is undeniable that the Empire’s strength depended mainly on the Navy, its power and its mobility. To ensure that mobility, a base in the Pacific is imperative and without it the existence and prestige of tho Empire was endangered. This would increase the ambitious of the lesser powers and give rise to deep distrust throughout every portion of the Empire, and also strike a fatal blow at the League of Nations. Tho Australian Government therefore urged the construction of Singapore base he immediately proceeded with. Finally he urged the British Government to reconsider its decision which was apparently arrived at on the basis of principle, rather than expenditure, and lie therefore had not dealt with . the question of cost. Ho wished to ' make it clear, however, that Australia j was not unmindful of its obligations and when parliament met, the Govern- * incut would submit to it proposals for a substantial contribution towards Singapore base. While Ministers were keenly ‘ disappointed at the abandonment of the base which they state is vitally necessary to Australia, the opinion is expressed in other quarters that it will tend to stimulate the defence policy of tile Commonwealth. OPINIONS TO BE PUBLISHED, j (Received this day at 9.0 a.in.) I-IONDON. March 19. Mr MacDonald announced in the . Commons that the Dominions’ opinion regarding the Singapore Base will be published. ’