HELP FOR CIVIL AVIATION

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22430, 17 June 1938, Page 12

HELP FOR CIVIL AVIATION

N.Z. AERO CLUB’S APPEAL TO MINISTER PURCHASE OF MORE MACHINES SUGGESTED (PRESS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM.) WELLINGTON, June 16. The annual report of the Royal New Zealand Aero Club, presented to the annual meeting to-day, stated that it was intended to discuss with the Minister for Defence the possibility of some measure of assistance to general club flying. The council maintained that a pilot who had qualified for his licence was at least incidentally fitting himself for service in time of national need, and was deserving of some assistance.

Opening the meeting, the Minister for Defence (the Hon. F. Jones) said that relations between the clubs and the Governnient would remain harmonious. It was very gratifying to him to see the par| civil aviators had taken in relief work, especially about Hastings.

One of the present problems was the number of aero clubs coming into being. He thought that the conference should consider forming federations in various areas, which would better enable them to deal with the position. Last year, said Mr Jones, the Government had spent more than £19,500 under its agreement wdth the clubs. In addition, more than £12,280 had been paid over by way of loans, and more than £4OOO for gift machines. The Government was willing, if clubs were prepared to bring out more aircraft, to consider obtaining these machines, as they would be available for training in the event of emergency, and that would be all to the good. The Government had a fairly big bill for service aviation this year, but he would consider any point raised, and would conclude an agreement for the next two years if the meeting thought fit. Much new equipment was being obtained for the inspection of aircraft, he added, and the Government was also creating a fine technical staff. This was a very important side of the Air Department’s work. He was determined to ensure the safety of passengers and pilots. The following officers were elected: President, Mr T. E. O’Dowd; vice-pre-sidents, Messrs A. S. Burgess and A. A. McNabb; auditor, Mr T. Forsyth.