AERO CLUBS

Press, Volume LXXX, Issue 24370, 23 September 1944, Page 8

AERO CLUBS

——♦— PLANS FOR POST-WAR ACTIVITY

(P.A.) WELLINGTON, Sept. 22. The revival of civil aviation in the form of Aero Club activities was foreshadowed at the annual general meeting of the Royal New Zealand Aero Club, held in Wellington. It was recalled that when the war began the staffs, aircraft, grounds and facilities of the majority of constituent clubs were taken over by the Government, and the view was expressed that with the outlook for an early termination of hostilities in Europe, the right time had arrived for aero clubs to consider seriously laying the foundations for the resumption of pre-war activities. Air Vice-Marshal L. M. Isitt, Chief of the Air Staff. Mr T. A. Barrow, Air Secretary, and Flight Lieutenant J. M Buckeridge, acting-controller of Civil Aviation, addressed the delegates, and discussed with them the problems confronting preparations for the resumption of action. Air Vice-Marshal Isitt made appreciative reference to the very great assistance clubs had rendered before and during the war period. Among matters discussed were the re-establishment of aerodromes, aeroplanes and equipment, and organising and absorbing from the services Unnecessary instructors, engineers, and ground staffs when the war and wartime restrictions ended. Delegates expressed their determination to do all in their power to assist in the rehabilitation of air force personnel returning to civil life. It was emphasised that the policy of clubs was to co-operate with the Government and the Air Department in post-war aviation, and place before them as early as possible proposals for a basis of mutual help. Mr W. H. Shepherd (Otago) was elected president for the ensuing year, Messrs F. W. Pearse (Middle Districts Aero Club), and R. T. Cadwallader (Wellington), vice-presidents. Mr Shepherd paid tribute to the services to aviation of Mr R. I. M. Sutherland, former president of the club, and .Mr J C Mercer, a pioneer of air services jii New Zealand. He made sympathetic references to their death, delegates standing in silence as a mark oi respect.