A FLYING EXPERT.

Auckland Star, Volume L, Issue 69, 21 March 1919, Page 5

A FLYING EXPERT.

LIEUT.-COLONEL A. BETTINGTON. Lieutenant-Colonel A. Bettington, R.F.C., who has reached Wellington aboard tho transport Athenic. has come to New Zealand on engagement to ad vise the Government on matters connected with aviation. lie was selected by the War Office at tho request of th« New Zealand Defence Department. Lieutenant-Colonel Bettington is an officer of wide experience in aviation, and it is expected that he will remain if New Zealand fur some months and prepare some important reports. The Minister of Defence (Sir Jamet Allen) stated on Wednesday that the primary- purpose of Lieutenant-Colonel Bettington's visit was to advise on th* defence aspects of aviation. The aero plane was hound to play a part in the defence armaments of the Dominion i_ the future, and it was important that the New Zealand Government should have expert advice before making anj move in such a matter. Many New Zealanders had served with the R.F.C during the war. and their training ant experience would doubtless be used tc some extent in the future.

The Minister added that the visiting officer would probably report also or the commercial and postal aspects o'" aviation in relation to New Zealand The Government had already secured thr assent of Parliament to some legisla tion designed to provide the necessari control of aviation as far as this Do minion was concerned, but he anticipated that additional legislation would be found to be requred.