AEROPLANE BASES

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XLV, Issue 10279, 10 December 1924, Page 7

AEROPLANE BASES

DEFENCE OF DOMINION.

PLANS TO BE PUSHED. WELLINGTON, December 8. There are likely to be prompt developments in connection with the organisation of adequate aerial defence tor the main New Zealand ports, the Minister of Defence being keenly interested in pushing on the plans. He lias just inspected sites in Auckland with the object of establishing a combined aeroplane and seaplane base. So far as Wellington is concerned, Trentham would be available in emergency,, while Canterbury has its wellequipped Wigram aerodrome as a nucleus for a military base. Sir Heaton Rhodes stated that the usual refresher courses for New Zealand pilots would be held during the coming year, and if New Zealand youths showed a desire to be trained they no doubt would be accepted, though at the present there was an ample supply of trained pilots who had had war experience. He had inspected the proposed site for the Auckland aeroplane and seaplane base at Tamaki. A number of other sites had been inspected by his officers and the final decision rested with Cabinet. , It should be understood that the base must be suitable for both types of aerial machines, as this would reduce the cost of maintenance. Aeroplanes had a wider range than seaplanes and, being faster in flight would act as scouts for the seaplanes in time of war. A small pVelving beach was sufficient for but more room was needed lor aeroplane landings, and this put Walsh Brothers' site at Kohimaramara out of the question, as a good deal of levelling would be needed there. Another disadvantage was that residential settlement was proceeding, and this brought the danger of interference with electric lines when 'planes were flying low approaching or leaving the aerodrome. • Sir Heaton Rhodes added that lie would lose no time, after Cabinet had approved of a site, in establishing a combined aerial base in Auckland. Questioned regarding the naval conference at Singapore, Sir Heaton Rhodes stated that Commodore Beal would represent New Zealand, but any decisions would require ratification by the New Zealand Parliament. The cruiser Dunedin could not be sent to Singapore for naval concentration in February, as she had just participated in the Australian manoeuvres and there were many demands for her presence in New Zealand ports. The provision of another cruiser would have obviated this difficulty. He agreed with the suggestion that the occasional visit or vessels from the China Squadron to New Zealand and Australia would greatly increase the efficiency of our naval division.