NAVAL AIRCRAFT.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 135, 9 June 1932, Page 14

NAVAL AIRCRAFT.

DOMINION DEFENCE FORCE. ! TWO FLYING BOATS SUGGESTED. (By Telegraph.—l'rcss Association.) WELLINGTON, Wednesday. More adequate provision for the naval branch of the Air Force was suggested by a deputation from the Navy League which submitted to tho Prime Minister remits from the conference of the New Zealand branch of the league. | The Dominion secretary, Mr. R. Darrocli, said the league suggested that (1) two large flying-boats should lie provided, or failing this, that additional Fairey 111. F machines should be obtained, and one was urgently necessary as a standby for the existing machine; (2) the workshops of the base should be equipped; (3) additional personnel should be enlisted; (4) an adequate wireless equipment should be provided in place of the extemporised equipment in use at present. Replying, Mr. Forbes said the matter was governed by the necessity for keeping the expenditure of the country down to the very lowest limits. The league's recommendations were deserving of every consideration.

The Hon. J. CJ, Cobbc, Minister of Defence, said there had been no considerable curtailment of expenditure on the Navy, as far as the air arm was concerned. In fact, the Navy expenditure this year would be about twice what would be expended on land forces. The Department had in contemplation the purchase of additional machines, but it was all a matter of finance. He had visited the Devonport naval base last week in company with the commodore,' and had found things in a most satisfactory state.