SINGAPORE BASE.

Hokitika Guardian, 26 March 1924, Page 3

SINGAPORE BASE.

SfNGAI'ORE CORRESPONDENCE. [Reuters Telegrams.] 'Received this day at 12.45 p.m.) LONDON, March 2b. The Singapore correspondence lias been published. Mr Smuts in expressing; whole-hearted agreement with the Government’s-policy, declares the proposed base would be out of kcejeu w ;, h the spirit of Washington Agroemnf. Ho sincerely trusts Mr liru.e and Mr Massey will ucqiiisce, because there is no promise of real security promised lor them in Singapore for European troubles would probably synchronise "ith any future tension in the Pacific, and make it impossible to move the Navy to Singapore. Lord Jellieoe regrets exceedingly the Government’s decision. Ho points out that tlio foremost naval authorities had stated a. modern licet would be unable to operate without a properly equipped base and for the protection of portions of the Empire situation in the Pacific and Indian Oceans, there is no place as suitable as Singapore. The matter intensely concerns Australia, India, New Zealand, and a number of Crown Colonies, who are looking to the present British Government to remember that every citizen of every country of the Empire is entitled to protection from tlio possibility of attack I»y a foreign foe. Singapore was wanted for defensive purposes. It is no more a threat to Japan than Gibraltar is to United States. New Zealand hoped the lesson of the sufferings of the Navy and Mercantile Marine in the Paeilie during the war time would not so quickly bo forgotten. The very oxist- ™ cnee of the Empire depends on a Navy. An eminent authority declared, unless a base like Singapore is established it would be absolutely impossible for a majority of the Empire capital ships to operate east of Suez.