SINGAPORE’S FATE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 30 January 1942, Page 3

SINGAPORE’S FATE

NAVAL MEMBER’S STRONG CRITICISM DURING COMMONS DEBATE. SHIPPING AND REINFORCEMENTS (By Telegraph—Press Association— Copyright) LONDON, January 28. In the House of Commons debate, Commander R. T. Bower (Conservative) said that Singapore was built to prevent just what the Japanese were doing. Britain had spent £20,000,000 on Singapore within 20 years and it wasn’t going to last 20 weeks. Indeed, it would be a miracle if it lasted another fortnight. “We were told there was not enough shipping to carry supplies to Singapore,” he added, “but there appears to be plenty for reinforcements now it is too late. If Singapore falls, our only first-class base in the Far East will be wiped out and India will be threatened.” Drastic changes would have to be made whether Mr Churchill wanted them or not.

Commander Sir A. Southby (Conservative) described the Government as a personal dictatorship in which Mr Churchill assumed the functions of all the Ministers and Service chiefs. Referring to inadequate support for the Repulse and the Prince of Wales, he said: “I heard it stated that orders were given for an aircraft-carrier to accompany these ships, but Mr Churchill himself countermanded the orders. The conjunction of lack of defences in the Far East with the loss of two capital ships was a major dlisaster. The real danger now lies in Burma. Unless we hold it, India and the essential naval bases of Colombo and Trincomali will be in deadly peril.”