The Guardian And Evening Star, with Which is incorporated the West Coast Times. THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 1927. SINGAPORE BASE.

Hokitika Guardian, 28 April 1927, Page 2

The Guardian And Evening Star, with Which is incorporated the West Coast Times. THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 1927. SINGAPORE BASE.

The Prime Minister’s Announcement regarding a New Zealand contribution to the Singapore base will be endorsed by the peaple of the Dominion in the aggregate. Already opposition is being, manifested from the usual quarter, hut the essential needs of New Zealand for adequate maritime security, leave no option to any responsible Government of tile day, bub to do all in tbe country’s power to ‘naive assurance doubly sure in the matter of defence. The policy which Mr Coates espouses Is reached in a natural sequence of the ordinary course of events. His .statement to the House before leaving for the late visit to England was a prelude to the policy adopted. He then took the opportunity of stating in the Hquse his conviction, and that of liis colleagues, that New Zealand should take upon her shoulders a further proportion of the burden of naval deI fence, and ne stated that the GovernI ment of New Zealand regarded the provision of an adequate naval base at Singapore as an indispensable necessity for tbe naval- defence of tbe Empire. Bearing these two principles in mind and with a full realisation of tbe advantages on many grounds of maintaining a third cruiser in New Zealand waters, be announced his intention of being guided as to New Zealand’s future steps after conference with the Admiralty, when the Government would have a l>etter opportunity of drawing a sound conclusion. On reaching England the Imperial Conference eventuated, and at that conclave the matter of the Singapore base was the subject of very serious discussion. The views of the British Government were stated very clearly by Mr Baldwin, who said Singapore base was most urgently needed at the present time from the point of view of Imperial defence. He therefore asked those Dominions which were specially interested in the Ear East to consider most carefully whether there was any way in which they can operate in the development of Singapore, either now or within the next few years. There could he no more valuable contribution to the defence of the Empire as a whole, remarked the British Prime Minister, a very weighty statement indeed which Mr Coates could not by any tneans ignore Tn addition, Mr Coates had the advantage of the advice of Admiral Hotliam. who has keen closely connected with the New Zealand Division. and who rendered the greatest possible assistance in considering the best course to adopt in the future. The fullest opportunity of conferring with the Admiralty was made available, and Mr Coates was able to obtain sufficient data to make a confident decision as to the attitude New

Zealand should adopt. The outcome is a definite and determined naval poliey. New Zealand is to contribute the sum of one million sterling to the cist of Singapore Imse, the payments to fie spread over the term of construction, estimated at seven or eight years. In addition, the New Zealand naval division is In be revised when the Singapore payment is concluded, by 'providing for two superior warships instead of three inferior warships. The larger warships will cost CftOO.OOO as compared with £093.000 for the smaller ships. This briefly is a very definite proposal, and it is one founded on sound proposals. It is more essential than ever in the light of events in the Far Fast that British interests in that region should he made absolutely secure. To please America, Britain did not renew her alliance with Japan. The mistake of that altered policy is now apparent. America cannot be relied upon in China, according to the cable, so that Britain must take independent action. The British possessions in the Pacific and the Fast are so vast that security must he provided for. And Hie cost of the security must be met by the paymen i of premiums (as it. were) for naval defence in the waters of the Fast. By rallying to the Motherland at the present crisis and making a free-will offering, New Zealand is again doing the right thing in the true Imperial spirit. The Empire can never he maintained without concerted action with Britain, and New Zealand by coordinating her poliey with that of the Motherland is taking a step which will count more for peace than any aimless action of local defence or empty words preaching peace which can lie preserved only with the authority to impose it. The high sens are the highways for our commerce, and the life blood of our national well-being. It. is wise to assure the future Singapore base will fie a prime factor to that end. New Zealand has done well in this matter.