SINGAPORE BASE

Hokitika Guardian, 27 October 1927, Page 4

SINGAPORE BASE

PROGRESS OF WORK. SYDNEY. Oct 14. To New Zealanders, who, through their Government, have bound themselves to lend extensive finaneial aid to Britain in the construction of the Singapore naval base, any news concerning the progress of the work there should be of interest. Sir William Sowden. a leading citizen of Adelaide, returned recently from a visit to Singapore enthusiastic concerning the excellent progress being made with the construction of what he calls “part of the line of defence for Australia and New Zealand.’’ Sir William Sowden said that the feeding of the white population in .Singapore was highly appreciative ol New Zealand’s help, nut it believed that Australia should do more towards tin* defrayment of lb' c<'sf ot the undertaking. Thousands ol men. ! <’ said, were employed at Die' lave, where large buildings bad been erected for European officers. Expenditure on an enormous scale was being ma.de on reads and railways and the eon struction of 70 of a total of 80 oil tanks for liquid fuel bad been completed. Each of I’----' tanks would bold Ib.OT) tons of til, which would be readily accessible to v< e.els requiring refuelling. 'i be fact Unit this huge store of inflrmem■ od might fie open to attack from the air had aroused some misgivings .in J-iinga-nore. hut the authorities had in mind

the preparation of formidable measures of aerial defence. The base, continued Sir 'William Sowden, was situated east of a new causeway connecting the island or Jo ho re with the mainland. Strangely enough, the white population m the neighbourhood had accepted the project quietly, even apathetically, although there was an underlying feeling that the base would secure the future security ol the country.