SINGAPORE BASE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIII, 15 July 1929, Page 5

SINGAPORE BASE

LABOUR GOVERNMENT'S ATTITUDE MODIFICATION OR ABANDON. HIE NT \ GROWING BELIEF 'United Press Association—By Eleotric Telegraph—Copyright) (AuPtralian Pram Assooiatfoo) LONDON, 13th July. The belief is growing that the Government contemplates drastic modifications or abandonment of the Singapore dock scheme. Cbmmentiftors point out that cancellation of the work now would obviously involve heavy loss of money, besides inducing industrial conditions in Singapore to something like cliaos. The expert view is that a floating dock is useless without repairs facilities ashore. To leave the base in an. unfinished condition without providing adequate defences would be to saddle the Empire- with grave military liabilities. The "Daily Telegraph's"*' ' naval exparts says:—"That abandonment will evoke intense indignation in Australia and New, Zealand goes without saying. Moreover, there will arise the delicate question of how to deal with contributions in cash and kind wkich overseas Governments made towards the cost such as the Malay States' £2,000.000, New Zealand's £1,000,000, and Hong Kong's £250,000. Part of the money has already been expended or hypothecated."