BRITISH CIVIL AIRCRAFT

Press, Volume LXXXV, Issue 25767, 31 March 1949, Page 3

BRITISH CIVIL AIRCRAFT

EXPERT’S REPLY TO MR NASH STATEMENT welcomed BY MINISTER (P.A.) WELLINGTON, March 30 The Minister of Finance (Mr Nash) admitted to-day that the inference drawn in Britain from remarks he had made on British transport aircraft at Auckland appeared to be justified. He was commenting on a statement by Mr E. C. Bowyer, Director of the Society of British Aircraft Constructors. which said in part: “Mr Nash's statement in Auckland expressing doubts whether Great Britain will ever produce airliners as good as those designed and built in the United States, has been received by the British aircraft industry with astonishment and quiet confidence that Mr Nash will be proved very wrong indeed." Mr Nash said he was surprised at even the suggestion that he should doubt the capacity of Britain to accomplish anything, particularly in the engineering and aeronautical world but. on checking New Zealand pre=s’ reports, which apparently were the foundation of Mr Bowyer’s statement his inference appeared to be quite justified. “The plain facts are that I do know of Britain's potential," said Mr Nash “However, the statement by Mr Bowyer is good news-nothing could be better. All users of aeroplanes in NewZealand. particularly' companies associated with their operation, will look forward to the production of the aero planes mentioned. No one will welcome their introduction to services in the Pacific area more than myself ”