The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 1929. SINGAPORE BASE.

Hokitika Guardian, 19 November 1929, Page 4

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 1929. SINGAPORE BASE.

In view of the impending Five-Power Disarmament ,jpqnferenee, the British Labour' GuVernmeut, i,t is reported last week, lias decided to “slow down” as mini) as possible the work in progress tit the Singapore Base. This announcement may be expected to give rise to considerable discussion in the overseas Dominions. Jn reply to a question in the house of Commons as to whether the Dominions had been consulted, the First Lord of the Admiralty (Mr Alexander) stated that they had been “informed.” During its previous regime in office the Labour Government, po.nts out an exchange, in the face of strong prorests from the Dominions, stopped the work altogether, on the ground that it would exercise “a detrimental effect on our general foreign policy.” This policy, it was explained, was one of international co-operation, and the creation of conditions which would make a comprehensive agreement on limitation of Labour policy was reversed and the work resumed. Once again in power, the Labour Government now hesitates to go as far as it did on the previous occasion and stop the work. There are reasons for this new line of action. In the first place the work has now been advanced to a stage from which withdrawal would represent the sacrifice of a very large sunr of money, towards .which certain of the Dominions have made substantial contributions. The Straits Settlements gave the land for the Base, dockyard, and aerodrome; the Malay States, £2,000,000; New Zealand, £1,000,000; and Hong-Kong, £250,000. In view of those donations,, and the fact that a portion of them has already been expended the Imperial Government could not stop the work without causing grave offence to the donors. Hence toe “slowing down.” The MacDonald Government has done enough to excite alarm and uneasiness in the Dominions nordoriug on I,lie Pacific. It may claim Ilia slowing down docs not necessarily mean slop-iage. The fact remains that slowing down Hie operations means the postponement of their completion, of the Lime when the Base would represent established security and protection for tlx* Dominions com emed. The sii'bslaiitial tax the contributory States have placed upon lliemselves shows that the desire for security is verv real, and should not ho trifled willi. Viscount •lelliioe’s reported comment indicates that lie has fully appreeia led the strength and direction of overseas opinion. “I have my doubts how they will take the decision, ’’ In' says. It is evident Hint the MacDonald Government expects from

the impending Five-Power Conference a, disarmament programme very much

in advance of what public opinion nuucipaies. I.villicr Dial, or it considers that tlie slowing down of the work aL ilie Base may possibly influence the Lonleieuce m a lavourabie direction, jii eiLuer case “informing ' tfie iJominions of its decision instead of consaiu.ig them anout it, seems to faii short of its obligations in tlie lnatier.