NATIONAL DEFENCE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 117, 19 May 1936, Page 8

NATIONAL DEFENCE.

VALUE OF AEROPLANES. BUSINESSMEN'S INTEREST. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, this day. Arising from a discussion on the ownership, of air services at a meeting of the council of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce,, members turned the talk into opinions on national defence. Referring to a recent deputation from the chamber to the Postmaster-General, the Hon. F. Jones, on the subject of mail and cable services, Mr. W. M. Wright said that where the Department had the monopoly of its class of business the profits really became extra taxation on the community and should be used either to reduce charges or to improve the services. He had submitted to Mr. Jones that air mails should be carried at ordinary rates of postage for that reason. The Government operation of air services had been suggested because of the relation of flying services to national defence, said Mr. Wright. New Zealand was practically unprotected at present. The Royal New Zealand Air Force was not as strong as it should be. Labour used to' favour disarmament, but had made no announcement of its defence policy since taking office. The chairman, Mr. C. J. B. Norwood, said the discussion had got right away from the point. The committee should first consider the whole question so that an opinion could be reached that would be' the considered view of the chamber. He declared the discussion closed, pointing out that the opinions expressed had been those of members only and not those of the chamber.

A committee was appointed to consider the whole question of national defence.