NEW ZEALAND DEFENCE.

Auckland Star, Volume LVI, Issue 209, 4 September 1925, Page 10

NEW ZEALAND DEFENCE.

DEVELOPMENT OF AIR FORCE.

NEW AUCKLAND BASE.

THE HOBSONYILLE SITE.

(By Telegraph.—Parliamentary 11-jpoiter.)

WELLINGTON", Thursday

The effect of the general policy of retrenchment is seeu in the report'on last year's activities of the New Zealand defence forces, the only extensions noticeable being in connection with aviation. The commandant refers to the resumption of six days' territorial training continuously in camp as a distinct improvement. The high standard of individual efficiency of tnc permanent forces has been fully maintained during the year. To keep up-to-date and follow constant developments in armament equipment, military science and methods, and to ensure the latest and uniform instruction, makes constant and careful study imperative on the part of all concerned. The ■ time required for this study and preparation for promotion and * other examinations is very limited with the permanent forces reduced to the absolute minimum, there being no spare or emergency numbers. Owing to the constantly increasing duties of training and administration, the temporary absence of officers abroad undergoing special training, and also inevitable vacancies due to retirement ' and other causes occurring each year, much extra work falls to the" lot of individual members of the permanent forces, many of whom are performing duties of two or more appointments. The permanent air force personnel comprises four officers and 11 of other ranks. The strength of the territorial air unit is 104 officers. Owing to shortage of machines it was not possible to increase the number of pilots attending the refresher courses, and during the periou under review only 40 officers were called up, as against 48 in previous years. The courses were carried out on lamlplanes at tiie YVigram aerodrome, and wene most satisfactory. The officers under instruction were displaying the greatest keen--ness, .botli in ground duties and aerial work. The ground organisation was at present small. The annual appropriations for air service render it impossible to organise a scheme which will permit ol any degree of comprehensive flying being undertaken by air units composed of either permanent or territorial personnel, "Before such units can operate in the air it is essential that they have bases suitably equipped; in.'other words, the ground organisation must receive primary consideration, and the policy of development must consequently be such that any increase in the aerial arm is always preceded by provision of new aerodromes or "forward landing grounds," in order to provide bases from which to operate or to increase the area, over which aircraft can be successfully employed. This policy of preference to ground organisation should be continued lyitil such time as the "operation bases" are so distributed throughout the Dominion as to enable aricraft to work overall parts of it and its territorial waters. The air station at Auckland and the plant of the New Zealand flying school were taken over by the Department. The site at Kohimarama was leased by the oompamv and lias had to be vacated'by the Department, the aeronautical equipment being temporarily in stores at Devonport. pending fTie acquisition of a permanent site. The site previously selected at West Tamaki has now been 'definitely abandoned, owing to its high cost, the land having been subdivided into ; building allotments. Great difficulty was experienced,.;, in. finding an ~ alternative site; many localities were visited and inspected before a- place possessing the necessary combination of facilities was recently found near for its purchase are now in train.