DEVELOPMENT OF AIR FORCE

Press, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 25547, 15 July 1948, Page 4

DEVELOPMENT OF AIR FORCE

Mr Jones quoted the following from Lord Tedder’s views, on the Government’s proposals for post-war development of the Royal New Zealand Air Force:— “I have examined this plan carefully and find myself in full agreement. As we see it here, the role of the New Zealand Air Force in war is to contribute to the defence of the main support area in the South Pacific and vital strategic areas associated with it. It should be so designed and equipped that, in the absence of a threat to this support area, it can contribute to the defence of neighbouring strategic areas more immediately threatened. The regular force, which the plan provides, with the backing of the territorial force, would seem to be properly balanced for the fulfilment of this role. “To meet the requirement of the strategic area in question, I am in full agreement that the primary role of the regular bomber reconnaissance

squadrons should be that of longrange, general reconnaissance. The preposed force is in my opinion properly composed and suitably balanced for the defence role in question. “I am in full agreement with the proposed peace-time distribution of the force. We agree that Fiji is the key point in your strategic area. Subject to inter-governmental agreement, I am of the opinion that one of the most important roles of the New Zealand Air Force will be to maintain air force bases in Fiji. For this reason, I agree that it is desirable that New Zealand should maintain advance air force elements in Fiji in peace time. The maintenance of these units would also assist in the operational training of a peace-time air force.” Mr Jones said it was clear that the leaders of the three services had endorsed the Government’s plans, yet self-appointed experts in this country were condemning what the Government had done.