DOMINION’S ROLE IN FUTURE WARS

Press, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 25450, 23 March 1948, Page 6

DOMINION’S ROLE IN FUTURE WARS

SIR BEN LOCKSPEISER’S -VIEWS

New Zealand’s isolation might prove her salvation in future wars, said Sir Ben Lockspeiser, chief scientist to the British Ministry of Supply and a world authority on aeronautics, in an interview in Christchurch. He is visiting the Dominion for consultations on aeronautical matters. • Sir Ben Lockspeiser said that hitherto the isolation of any country had been regarded as a disadvantage, but the position had changed, and New Zealand might have a chance to manufacture war supplies for the other nations of the British Commonwealth if the need arose. Australia was in a similar position, and it was possible that many technical workers might be transferred from Britain to Australia and New Zealand in the next few years.

The development of helicopters was being pursued by two big companies in Britain, said Sir Ben Lockspeiser, but it would take from eight to 10 years to bring them to the stage where they were both cheap and reliable. Mass production methods had nqt yet been introduced. He emphasised the possibilities for using helicopters in New Zealand to link isolated communities. They could be used, for instance, for medical services and rescue work. Sir Ben Lockspeiser yesterday visited the Christchurch laboratories of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research and the School of Engineering at Canterbury University College. He also inspected the Wigram air station. He left by the steamer express for Wellington last evening.