BRITISH PARLIAMENT

Hokitika Guardian, 15 March 1927, Page 3

BRITISH PARLIAMENT

[Australian & N.Z. Cable Association.] IN THE COMMONS. LONDON, March 14. In the Commons, Sir A. Chamberlain in reply to questions said th® municipality of international settlement at Shanghai had not been asked •and had not offered to pay any part of the cost of the British defence force. All the Powers interested made their own naval and military preparation at their own expense. He had not advised Air Lnmpson to discuss with the Soviet Charge D’Affaires at Pekin, Russia’s alleged breaches in Chinn of the Anglo-Russinn trade agreement coincferning propaganda. Hon. Amery confirmed the press reports that seven Chinese were killed and fourteen wounded and one European inspector and four native policemen wounded at Singapore, when a mob attempted to rush the police station. Air Mosley—“ Was a warning given before firing.” Hon. Amery—“l presume so but I have no information beyond the above.” Thomas Williams—“ Will such actions improve our relations with China.” Hon. Amerv informed a questioner that expenditure under the Empire settlement was 1922-23 £35.000, 192324 £425,000; 1924-25 £424,000; 192520 £579.000 ; 1926-27 £1,132,000.

NAYAL ESTIAIATES. LONDON. Alivrch 14

Air Bridgeman introducing the Nhval Estimates, said there was a novelty in new constructions which merely continued the programme accepted in 1925. The success of efforts to make internal economies and reduce the cast of replacements had been greater than they bad dared to hope. Last year s coal stoppage meant three-quarters of a million out of the vote unspent, which would revert to the Exchequer. The Admiralty during the past year not only balanced the new construction hut was five millions to the good towards 1926-27. The total estimates for the coming year amounted to f.ltyeightunillions which were one hundred thousand below last year’s. I* it tyeiglit millions now only equalled the pre-uDr linppeni ng power of thirty-four millions. The estimates in 1914 totalled fifty-one and a half millions therefore tlie current expenditure was seventeen millions less than that ot several years before the war. Mr Bridgeman referring to the Imperial Conference decisions said parts of the Empire had already contributed largely to the cost of the Navy including the Afalav States offer of Iwn millions spread over four years towards the Singapore base.. He honed in years to come that other parts of the Empire would contribute and those who had already done so would contribute more. The total cost of the Singapore base had been reduced from eleven to seven and three-quarter millions sterling by omitting certain facilities for storage and repairs, which were not absolutely necessary, and could be erected quickly if the political outlook became clouded. We could congratulate ourselves on the success so far attending the Duke of Yorkw’s tour on the Renown. He wrs sorry to learn of the Duchess’s .-light indisposition. He was sure the Douse would not grudge the very limited sum of money being spent on the Renown’s voyage. The Admiralty welcomes Air Cool-

idge's disarmament invitation ptovided other nations consider our special difficulties as we consider theirs. I believe it is a snored dutv that wo should have a naval strength equal to any other Power ami reasonable security for the guardianship of our race and communications, and the Admiralty is proud to endeavour to tarry it nut. I do not think any deflection from it would he tolerated by Parliament. The Admiralty will continue to carry out that obligation and even i! the Commons said it would not ho guided by that formula. T would not take the responsibility of carrying out the decision. Mr Bridgeman said he hoped the French and Itldian Governments would reconsider the question of attending Air Coolidce's conference, but even if tliev found it impossible to attend nothing but good could come from deliberations with other naval powers. Ah- Ammon said Air Coolidge’s conference gave an opportunity for the reduction of naval expenditure and to prove the sincerity of our desire to reduce armaments with ships coming into commission in the coming year, it would Have been easy to withhold the present programme of- constructions pending the conference. When the new cruisers were ready they would go to China wherein lie saw a danger to the peace of the world, with the possibility of a similar state of affairs in the Far East ns existed in the North Sea in 1914. Our warships could not be in Chinese waters without a set purpose.