Remit On Defence Chiefs Withdrawn

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30896, 1 November 1965, Page 14

Remit On Defence Chiefs Withdrawn

Christchurch delegates to the New Zealand Air Force Association conference in Christchurch on Saturday withdrew a remit appealing for greater liberty for defence chiefs in making public statements.

The remit asked that the association request the Goviernment to allow all chiefs |of staff greater freedom in I public statements and ; authority to express personal opinions on questions relating to the re-equipment and staffing of their own arms of the services. The remit said there had been considerable indignation and resentment over the reprimand of the Chief of Air Staff (Air Vice-Marshal I. G. Morrison) for giving his personal opinion on the future needs of the Air Force. Persons in such positions of responsibility, as indirect representatives of the taxpayers, should be free to tell the public their expert assessment of such situations, the remit said. The Christchurch delegates withdrew the remit in view of a statement made by the president (Mr A. H. McGrath) in his annual report which defended Air Vice-Marshal Morrison.

Mr McGrath described the reprimand as most distasteful and unnecessary. A Christchurch delegate. Mr B. Leader, said that in view of the president’s remarks, which had already been published, nothing further could be gained by discussing the question again. Mr McGrath said the Christchurch branch had thereby “done the decent thing.”

Gliding Schools

After discussing a remit from the Wanganui branch the conference decided to ask the Minister of Defence (Mr Eyre) to enlarge the scope of the gliding schools within the Air Training Corps. The conference congratulated the Minister on action already taken in setting up the gliding schools.

The conference felt that the extension of the gliding school scheme would encourage cadets to take a greater interest in flying. • The conference agreed to take immediate steps to set out a funeral service procedure for former members of the Air Force. Hamilton delegates said they were disturbed that while other former servicemen's

organisations had funeral services the Air Force Association had none. It had been left to another organisation to conduct the funeral service. Members agreed that there was no desire to clash with the R.S.A. in this matter. Mr McGrath, of Wellington, was re-elected president, and Mr R. E. Clark, of Christchurch, deputy • president. Messrs A. H. De Costa (Gisborne) and R. J. Sincla'r (Pahiatua) were re-elected life officers.