SINGAPORE BASE.

Hokitika Guardian, 28 March 1924, Page 3

SINGAPORE BASE.

[Reuters Telegrams.]

SPEECHES IN' COMMONS. LONDON, March 2G. Li the House of Commons, speaking on Siu*4»ore, Mr Ammon said the Government was not challenged even on the question of naval or military strategy. In view of the reported desire of the Americans for an international disarmament conference, Britain should make a moral gesture in the hope that there will be some co-operation. Thev would be in a much stronger position, if, after exploring all the possibilities, they were compelled to continue their armament policy. A base at Singapore would undoubtedly hamper the establishment of international confidence and lay Britain’s good faith open to suspicion. Japan was still suffering from the effects of the earthquake, and was unlikely to complete her armaments. Japan had given every earnest desire to carry out the Washington agreement. The strengthening and onJarging of the authority of the .League of Nations would bo a. greater defence for the peace of the world than all the armed 1 forces and new dock's that could possibly be built. Commander Kenworthy said lie had no belief in the bogey of a Japanese danger, but he was of the opinion that the best answer possible to a Japanese invasion would ho submarine cruisers and a base somewhere in New Guinea or ill North Australia. Commander Belldirs declared that, when the question of disarmament was raised, the Premier was hound to face the question of Japanese emigration to Australia. They desired Japan to find room for expansion, hot not at the expense of the British Empire in Australia or elsewhere. STATEMENT BY MR MACDONALD. (Received this dav at 10.45 a.in.) LONDON, March 27. . Mr Macdonald in the Commons, said that prior to the Singapore decision the Government had not communicated

with any foreign countries on tlic subject and had not received assurances from any country promising corresponding reductions in armaments, actual or contemplated. ADMIRAL KERR’S OPINION. LONDON, March 27. Admiral Marie Kerr writes to the press, pointing out that the Singapore docks are- already large enough for any warships which would be used for supplies. Communication and lighting service in the East is extending. The base, however, is undefended against aeroplanes and submarines. Present battleships are obsolete and unable tu blockade an enemy if ho refuses action. They arc too large and expensive for commerce, destruction, convoying or protection of lines of communication. Admiral Kerr, therefore, is opposed to spending a large sum of money on new docks when a much smaller ex-

penditure would make Singapore a sanctuary as well as a base which no enemy would dare to approach within two hundred miles. MR BRUCE’S STATEMENT. MELBOURNE, March 28. In the House of Representatives, Mr Bruce dealing with the abandonment of Singapore, said in view of the fact that Government considered Mr Macr Donald’s policy in this regaid unsound, and that in the light of further experience it will have to he reversed 01 tlie base proceeded with, the Government did not propose to take any alternative action at present towards th. provision of a. base, which he believed

would be essential to ensure Australia’s position and' tire prestige of the Empire in4(4ie.'Pacific. In the event of the J? view of the British Government net being modified it would be necessary lor the Australian Government to consider what action it would take to ensure provision of what he believed t ho absolutely vital and necessary. He did not intend at present to state what steps the Government were taking to remit* the Australian Navy more effective beyond stating that two new cruisers would replace the cruisers -Melbourne and Sydney. \\ hen the Bill for this purpose came before the House the Government would indicate what action it proposed to take in regard to Australian naval defence. Dealing with the British Govcrnmients’i reason for abandoning the scheme he said his Government was convinced that the British Government acted with the highest motives. He was in entire sympathy with the groat ideal for which it stood, hut the. League of Nations depended for its effectiveness upon the strength of Britain. Anything which Iredueed the strength of the British Navy correspondingly reduced the power of the League. This was the attitude in which the Australian Government «p----preached the Singapore question in regard to a base, not only as a prudent measure of self-protection, hut as a - 'source of strength to the League. The power of Britain as a moral force, and therefore the’power of the League in the settlement of great Pacific or Indian Ocean problems would he seriously a (fee ted by its abandonment. Mr Bruce concluded: —It is difficult to avoid the impression that abandonment ' v as determined upon because of a keener appreciation of the problems nearer home for those of Itmpitc-uido importance, particularly in view ot the announcement that the British Government was increasing its air force as a protection against air attack. He felt confident, however, that a majority of members of the Commons would yet V<, g j Te a decision based on the now's or the whole Empire, and the broad principles underlying a successful League of Nations and the accomplishment of n. practical contribution towards universal peace.

PRESS COMMENT. [‘‘The Times” Service.] BR this day at 10.25 a.tno LOTS DON, March 27. v The “Times" says Mr Bruce’s and Mr Mnsso>4 arguments in favour of Singapore, prove Australia does not relish Mr MacDonald’s decision which makes for its jeopardy. Mr Smuts’ is makes for its jeopardy. Mr Smuts is ~ disappointing, refurnishing an old argument which Mr MacDonald has already repudiated. The truth is the abandonment upsets the equilibrium established by the Washington Conference of the Anglo-American equality standard that now obtains in the Pacific. The opponents of Singapore will not admit that Australia has any grievance in United States fortifying Pearl Harbour. Nevertheless they assert that Japan will he offended if Singapore is fortified. Pacifists are always more tender towards foreigners than their own kinsmen. Tt will he raise economy to neglect the premium which now comprised the British commercial and political interests invnlv'w: . ed ’ AIR BRUCE’S MISSION. DISCUSSED IN PARLIAMENT MELBOURNE. March 27. In the House of Representatives Mr Bruce submitted resolutions that the House approve oL.tho conclusions of the Imperial Conference relating to foreign voliitwh negotiations,

tores and ratifications of treaties and defence, and that the House approve of the resolutions of the Economic Conference relating to Imperial preference and Imprial Economic Committee. Referring to the necessity of Australia being consulted regarding the British foreign policy, Air Bruce said he had insisted at the Conference upon Australia having this right, as from the experience of the late war lie realized that out of the foreign policy wars were bred, and when Britain was at war Australia was inevitably involved. Australia was determined never again to he east into the hideous vortex of war as the result of a policy in which we had not a part. The Premier asked members to say whether in adopting this attitude he was truly representing the view of a majority of the Australian people. Air Bruce thought the basic principles governing the Empire’s foreign policy agreed to at the Conference were acceptable to Parliament and the people of Australia. He told Air Charlton (Leader of the Labour Opposition) that he had no objection to the resolutions being put separately, provided there was only one general debate. Air Charlton refused this, and spoke

for only a few minutes summing up the whole mission as a failure, not worth while discussing. He then mured tin amendment during a pause that followed.

Mr Earle Page spoke to the amendment, not seconding it, as a desperate resort in a perplexing situation. After seconding Mr Bruce’s resolutions he taunted the Opposition with lieing

afraid to express its view on detence. and said an cll’urt was being made to brush aside the most important issues the House had ever faced, lie concluded by urging the Labour Party to reconsider its altitude. The House then adjourned. The .Senate discussed the Conferences’ resolutions. M r Nowlonds gave notice of motion that the battleship Australia lie not sunk, but so altered as to make her permanently unseaworthy and converted her into a war museum. .Mr Charlton’s action is bitterly resented. Ministerialists regarded it as tin attempt to humiliate Bruce. At the same time it is realised that fir Bruce placed the Labour Party in a difficult position hv asking it to declare itself with regard to foreign relations, defence and imperial preference.