SINGAPORE BASE.

Hokitika Guardian, 31 March 1924, Page 3

SINGAPORE BASE.

(“Sydney Sun” Cables)

(Received this day at 11.25 a.m.) LONDON, March 30.

A powerful movement lms been initiated by London business interests through the Navy League to secure a reversal of Government’s Singapore decision. A meeting of business men in the city of London advocated the Sinand adopted a resolution deploring the Government's decision to abandon the scheme without propel consultation with the Dominions, declaring. .the abandonment would imperil the Empire’s security and prejudice instead of promoting peace and disarmament. Lord Curzon declared if the Dominions were attacked while inadequately protected, London merchants would reel under the Shock, as a consequence of their important trading interests in the Pacific, Liberals who upheld Labour were affected hy Nictomanin, mistaking timidity for caution and sacrificing safety lor a. phrase.

(LONDON, M.ircli 30. At tho City Business .Men (Meeting regarding Singapore, Mr Amery declared that only through Singapore could Britain go to the defence of the Dominions or the Dominions come to help Britain Government had not consulted hut had insulted the Dminions. Mr Churchill said the Government’s decision was an act of repudiation, and n blunt and unprecedented refusal to perform an Imperial duty. Mr Baldwin wrote stating lm was unable to understand the mentality of the people who regaided Singapore as provocative. Mr MacDonald’s mroal gesture would he interpreted abroad as a weakness. The Government bad shown the Dominions scant courtesy. Mr Baldwin said he' was confident when the British people realised the significance of the decision, sufficient pressure would ],e applied to compel a reversal. Major General Sir F. Maurice, formerly director of military operations in an interview considered Mr MacDonald had not definitely abandoned Singapore, but was deferring construction until further negotiations along the line: of the Washington Conference were held and it was disclosed whether battleship bases were necessary Maurice pointed out Mr Baidu in 1* proposed to allow ten years for construction of the base which could bo constructed in five. Therefore it Air MacDonald’s negotiations in the direction of international peace failed, he did not see that much harm would result from present postponement. Indeed • might prove advantageous, because the conditions might materially alter through a change in the battleship type whch had made, the dock necessary. . Farter modification might require an entirely different dock. Maurice personally favoured Admiral Fisber’s polity of postponing! construction till the last moment and then building rapidly to ensure obtaining the latest ideas.' Ho believed Singapore necessary, but. the question was whether it should he a main fleet, or cruiser base.