BRITISH PARLIAMENT

Hokitika Guardian, 21 March 1925, Page 3

BRITISH PARLIAMENT

navy kstimatss

[Reuters Telegrams. 1

■Received this cl ay at 8.30 a.m.) LONDON, March 20.

In the Commons, Mr Brulgeman, introducing the Navy Estimates explained an increase of noaily live millions sterling was due partly to the fact that the estimates had been excessively cut down by the Labour Government, with the result that leeway had to be made up. All obligations •under tbe Wellington Treaty bad been carried <mt in advance of the time limit, but not without difficulty. No large scale manoeuvres iieyond the ordinary fleet exercises were being held. Hie tom of the special service squadron bad enabled the Dominions to realise the heavy burden the Mother Country was hearing in this comic: tion. The programme as regards Singapore was to establish the ex-German floating dock recently at- Portsmouth in the Old Straits quarter. A million was earmarked for expenditure on the base this year. He thanked Australia and 'New Zealand for endeavouring to bear their share. He said the inot that those Dominions diverted money to other purposes when the Labour Goveniment dropped the Siuagpore proposal did not mean they had altcref their minds respecting the yalue of the liase, "Replying to a question regarding Mr Coolidge's proposal fur a disarmament conference Hr Bridgeman said we would only he too glad if it were possible and compatible with the securityof this country to arrange anything lessening the cast of armaments.

Everything, we were doing was in accordance with the Washington agreement, outside of which we did not desire to go. Tt was nonsense to say our action was provocative. W’e had no lust, for conquest or desire for more territory. All we wanted was to develop our territories and trade. Ihe exact size of the floating dock for Singapore had not yet been settled hut- it- had to he large enough to dock our largest battleships. Tt was therefore necessary to extend the size which cost three hundred thousand sterling. Most of the work of enlargement would be done in Britain before it left for Singapore. It would tnxo three years for the complete amount required to be spent on the floating dock, getting it in place and making the necessary roads etc. This sum was estimated at £757,001! sterling. Tbe full programme, including the graving dock was still being c-oividor-

Mr MacDonald defended tbe action of the Labour Government in bolding „n tbe work at Singapore on the ground that the period of examination was absolutely necessary not ™e c \ from the viewpoint of national sa.c y l,„t from that of tbe taxpayer, result of that gesture was tbe Geneva protocol. He asked what was tbe object of tbe base at Sin*i"oro. seenAmerica and Japan were both tiiendlv Experts’ theoretical views ought not to dominate the mind. He saw not the slightest reason why there should not be a substantial reduction in the NaW Estimates, similarly wrtn

hist venr. He was cf opinion that the Government’s decision in relation to Singapore was most deplorable, as it might upset the whole equanimity ot the East. The House agreed to the Estimates without division after a rejection of n motion bv Air Kenworthy to reduce the personnel of the Navy.