SINGAPORE BASE

Hokitika Guardian, 28 December 1929, Page 8

SINGAPORE BASE

SLOWING DOWN THE WORK. A MINISTERIAL EXPLANATION. LONDON, December 24. On the motion for the adjournment of the House of Commons till January 21st, Sir Frederick Penny referred to the slowing down of the work at Singapore Base. He asked: Did the Government intend to refund the Dominions’ contributions, which were taken under false pretences.” He had spent 21 years at Singapore and knew it was the kev of the Pacific. ’ Lord Roberts once said that the mastery of the world would be fought for out there. The cost of the Base was a mere bagatelle as compared with its value as an Imperial asset. The Labour policy was based on a fundamental error in thinking that the anti-war feeling was universal. He hoped the Government would keep faith with the Dominions and give security for trade and provide a greater factor for the maintenance of permanent peace in the Pacific. Mr A. V. G. Alexander, First Lord of the Admiralty said that it was necesary in connection with Naval Conference to consider whether, any large capital expenditure was wise and proper having regard to the changed circumstances arising from the Conference. That was the whole basis of the Ministry’s decision, which had been communicated to the Dominions, ft was unwise and unfair to say that the Govern ment had obtained money from the Dominions by of false pretences. Tt was unreasonable to make such a matter a Party question. No British Government had ever run away from its obligations. Sir Frederick Penny interjected: “I do not desire to make party capital, but we are betraying a trust in taking the money, if eventually we close the Singapore Base.” Mr Alexander said the Dominion's had been fully informed and no further protests bad come from them, because the Dominions trusted the Government’s pledge that before a final decision was reached they would be fully consulted.

Admiral Beamish: “Have the Dominions expressed agreement with tin* slowing down of the work?” Mr Alex; aider: “That is not tin* point that matters; it is that they will be fully consulted before finality is reached. In no sense would the Government’s decision to slow down the work pending the result of the Naval Conference, be allowed to become a bargaining factor at the Conference. Nothing could be raised at the Conference denying the right of the British Commonwealth to look after its own indi vidual interests.” The. matter was then dropped.