HOLD ON SINGAPORE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 6 December 1940, Page 5

HOLD ON SINGAPORE

MR CHURCHILL’S ASSURANCE DISCLOSED BY SIR ROBERT BROOKE-POPHAM. BRITAIN'S GROWING STRENGTH IN FAR EAST. (By Telegraph—Press Association— Copyright) (Received This Day, 9 a.m.) SINGAPORE, December 5. Air Chief Marshal Sir Robert Brooke-Popham expects to visit Australia and New Zealand. This and other interesting facts were revealed in an interview at which Sir R. Brooke-Popham recalled a luncheon with 'Mr Wilston Churchill, at which he, Sir John Dill and Sir Cyril Newall were present, before his departure from London. He said: “Mr Churchill was extremely well informed on all aspects of the situation in the Far East and told me we would hold Singapore no matter what happens and said I could rest assured that there would be a continuous and steady flow of men and munitions to the countries under my command and that no effort would be spared to make Singapore. Malaya and all other British countries as strong and well defended as was humanly possible. I feel sure that Britain will continue to grow in strength in the Far East. We may expect reinforcements of men and material—a stronger army and a bigger air force. A lot has already been done in this direction recently and the trend will continue. It is an inspiring thought that the Home country can still afford to strengthen the Empire’s outlying defences at a moment when she is fighting for her very existence.”