SINGAPORE BASE.

Hokitika Guardian, 21 March 1924, Page 2

SINGAPORE BASE.

\UBTKALIAN AND N.Z. CA-BLE ASSOCIATION. A FRENCH CRITIC. PARIS, March 19. The “Echo do Paris” expresses the opinion that the abandonment of Singapore Ikiso i.s tlic most venturous mensure yet taken by the .MacDonald Cabinet. Referring to the ment by Air Bruce that Australia in case jf need would seek the conclusion of an alliance safeguard which tho motherland cannot grant, and alluding to an alliance with United States, the “Echo de Paris” says United States would not regard unfavourably the construction of a naval base which would help her to retain the Philippines. The paper adds that the lesson is that if the Labour Cabinet shows itself incapable of providing defence for the Dominions it will with ail the more reason refuse to participate in the continental system of defence.

CANADA’S POSITION. (“Sydney Sun” Cables). (Received this day at 9.45 a.tn.l OTTAAYA, Alarch 19. Air Bruce’s offer, on behalf of Australia. to give substantial aid to the Singapore Base if the British Government will proceed instead of halting its construction, is unlikely to steel tho Canadian Government into similar action as the Singapore Base is considered here as peculiarly a Pacific problem towards which Canada has never been asked to contribute; nor has it volunteered to do so. There was some domestic suggestion that if the project went ahead Canada might give some materials for construction In any official correspondence on the subject tho Btltisli Government did not suggest a Canadian contribution, but rather the establishment of certain fuel bases on the two coasts for tlio use of the Navy generally This proposal was put forward tentatively by a former British Government, but was not followed up Tv its successors.