SINGAPORE BASE.

Hokitika Guardian, 28 March 1924, Page 4

SINGAPORE BASE.

UJSTBALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. MR MASSEY'S REPLY. THE FULL TEXT. WELLINGTON, March 20. Mr Massey has disclosed the full text of his reply to Mr Ramsay MacDonald concerning Singapore, as follows: I regret exceedingly that the Government of the United Kingdom does not intend to proceed with what is looked upon as one of the most important proposals connected with the defence of the Empire. The foremost naval authorities available have stated in no uncertain terms that a modern fleet cannot operate without a properly equipped base; and in their opinion there is no place so suitable for protecting-those portions ~f the Empire which f.re situated in the Pacific and Indian Oceans as that which may he provided at Singapore. India, Australia, New Zealand, and a number of Crown Colonies are intensely concerned in this matter, and are looking to the present British Government to remember that every country of the Empire, and every citizen of the Empire, is entitled to protection from attack by a foreign foe. It is well to remember here that Singapore is intended for defensive, and certainly not for offensive purposes, and that the establishment of a naval base at Singapore would constitute no mote of a threat to Japan than. Gibraltar could he considered a threat to the United States of America or any other foreign Power. The New Zealand Parliament last session voted £IOO,OOO as an earnest of its anxiety that the fortification of Singapore should he proceeded with and it will not stop at that.

America has in recent years fortified Pearl Harbour (Honolulu), in the North Pacific, and well-qualified naval experts sav it is now impregnable, and that the naval position of America has been strengthened accordingly. Fortunately. the United Stall's ot America is a friendly nation, and so far as it is possible to judge, will remain as such for centuries Lo come, and I hope for all time. We in New Zealand, separated from the heart of the Empire by 13,000 or 11.000 miles of sea, realise what it means to be insufficiently protected. We have not forgotten what the Royal Navy and the British mercantile marine suffered in the Pacific, during the years of the Great War; and wo had hoped that the lesson taught then would not he so quickly forgotten. You say that your Government stands

lor international co-operation through a strengthened and enlarged League of Nations. In reply to that. 1 must sav 'that, if the defence of the Empire is to depend upon the League of Nations only, then it may turn out to have been a pity that the League was ever brought into boing. The verv existence of the Empire

depends upon the Imperial Navy, and if in the event of war the Navy is to operate successfully, it must have suitable liases from which to work, and where repairs may he effected.

The nearest, suitable base at present is Malta, which is 0000 miles away, and therefore of no value "for the purposes of capital ships in either the Pacific or the Indian Oceans. An. eminent authority has said that “unless such a base as that contemplated at Singapore is established, it will bo an absolute impossibility for the majority of the Empire’s capital ships to operate to the eastward of Suez, for the simple reason that they cannot dock, cither for the purpose of cleaning, and so keening their speed, or of being repaired.” It may also be pointed out that tho League of Nations, although it is undoubtedly an influence for peace, has not so far been able to prevent hostile action as between nations. I may remind you that, owing to the alterations in ship designs since the Great War. docks which would have taken certain classes of warships before 191-1 will not now accommodate ships of

similar tonnage; and so it is not possible to maintain the present standard of naval efficiency without the proposals regarding Singapore being given effect to.

On behalf of New Zealand. I protest earnestly against the proposal to make Singapore a strong and safe naval station being abandoned, because I believe that as long as Britain holds the supremacy of the sea the Empire will stand; but if Britain loses naval supremacy of the sea the Empire will stand; but if Britain loses naval supremacy the Empire may fall, to the detriment not only of its own people, but of humanity as a whole. And it is surely the duty of British Ministers and the British Parliament to sec that, so far as it is humanly possible to prevent it there will ho no danger of such a catastrophe.