in the building programmes of other Powers. It is well to
realise, therefore, that we are faced with a programme of
cruiser construction, not merely to replace old units, but to
replace them by a type of vessel equivalent to those which
are being built by other Powers. In these days of financial
stringency, it is difficult, I know, to find the money, but no
wise man ceases to insure his business premises because trade
is bad. (Hear, hear.) It must be remembered that when
we speak of a One Power Standard, in it is included all the
ships of the Dominion Navies, and though it may not come
wholly to pass in our time, yet in the future it is probable,
as the Dominions grow in population and wealth, you will
find the main fleet of the Empire composed partly of ships
provided by the Mother Country and partly by the Dominions,
(Cheers.) This Empire Fleet will be stationed in some
central position from which it can rapidly go to the danger
zone, wherever that may be, always supposing the necessary
base from which it can operate has, by foresight, been
provided. (Hear, hear.) A matter which has received much
public comment of late is the question of developing our
Naval Base at Singapore. After exhaustive examination by
the Naval Staff, it was deeply considered and approved by
the Imperial Conference of 1921. At the time of the
Washington Conference, in drawing up the status quo
agreement, it was fully recognised by the United States and
Japanese Governments that the British Empire should be
left a free hand to develop a base in the East outside the
defined limits. During the past two years, the whole question
has been most thoroughly re-examined at the Admiralty by
men tried and proved in war, and it is their considered opinion
that the ability of the Fleet to fulfil its functions in defence
of the huge Empire trade depends on the development of the
outpost base at Singapore and the fuel depots en route to it.
The picture I have drawn, and it is one which I have no
doubt will come true, is dependent on the development of the
Navies of this country and the Dominions side by side.
(Cheers.) Parts of a homogeneous whole, trained on the
same lines, and imbued with the same spirit. I am aware
this has not always been advocated, but I can assure you that,
from now onwards, the Admiralty fully subscribe to this idea
and will do all they can to help in the development of those
Dominion Navies which already exist and to help the others
through the pangs of childbirth. (Cheers.) During the past
our power to maintain our sea communication has often
been challenged, and no doubt it will be again. But if the
Empire will maintain an efficient Fleet, I think the issue can
be confidently left to the British seamen. (Cheers.) In this