SINGAPORE BASE

Hokitika Guardian, 15 November 1929, Page 3

SINGAPORE BASE

[United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.] LONDON, Nov. 13. Lord Jellieoe, presiding at a meeting at II itch in, referred to the Government’s decision to retard tlve Si 'in ore naval base construction. He said: “I don’t know how the Dominions in the South Pacific will look at the decision, hut they have contributed money, and realise the 'base is tssenlial to their security. 1 have my doubts as to how they will take the decision, which I learn has been made this evenin '.” In. a reiorcree to the reduction of naval armaments, Lord Jellieoe point ed out that it was a fact that the navy had never been the cause of w* r. 'Moreover, nothing was heard about the reduction of aerial strength though the danger to the civil population was infinitely greater from tinair than from anything else. A PRESS VIEW. LONDON, Nov. 14. The “Morning Post” states: Apart •V'mu the merits of the question of the Singapore base, these zigzags o l ' policy make rather a severe commentary on our system of government. Even a teashop could not be run successfully on such lines, and yet the matter concerns the safety of the Empire.” The paper’s editorial reviews Australian and 'New Z'ealand opinion on the subject, and states that it would he a breach of faith to retreat. It says: “It looks as if the Government intends "to treat the Singapore base as a bargaining counter, and is ready to promise to remain defenceless in the East if certain other powers consent to modify their buildino programmes. If this is its intention we think its policy is not worthy rf a self-respecting power.”