SINGAPORE NAVAL BASE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume L, Issue 3977, 30 July 1929, Page 3

SINGAPORE NAVAL BASE.

NEW ZEALAND’S REPLY TO BRITTSH GOVERNS IENT. The Prime Minister (Right Hon. Sir Joseph)'' Ward) stated on Saturday that the proposals of His Majesty’s Government in the United Kingdom with reference to naval defence had received the attention of the Ntew Zealand Government, which had communicated a tentative expression of its views on the subject to London. The Prime Minister stated that his message made it clear that the New Zealand Government attaches the greatest importance to the question of naval defence, and, in ■particular, to the naval base at Singapore, and that the views of this Dominion on the latter* question which had been expressed on previous occasions, remained unaltered. Attention has also been called to the fact that New Zealand’s interest in the Singapore Base was indicated by the provision of a contribution of £1,000,000, of which two instalments totalling £250,000 had already been paid. The hope was also expressed that no alteration in the policy of Imperial defence you Id be made without concultation with the Dominions, and it had been suggested to the British Government that, if possible, the matter should be (reserved for discussion alt the next Imperial Conference.