AN AIR BOARD

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 230, 23 June 1920, Page 6

AN AIR BOARD

APPROVAL BY CABINET.

Cabinet's approval has been obtained for the formation of an Air Board constituted as follows:—President Major' General Sir Edward Chaytor, Iv.C.M.G-., K C.V.0., C.8., A.D.C. Members: Briga-dier-General G. S. Richardson, C.8., C.M.G., C.8.E.; Commander T. A. Hilliams, C.8.8., R.N.; and representatives of the following Departments :-Landa and Survey—Mr. T. N. Brodrick; Pubho Works-Mr. R. W. Holmes, 1.5.0., Cliief Engineer, Mr. E. Furkert (Deputy); Postal—'Mr. A. T. Markman, I'irst Assistant Secretary, and Mr. G. M'Nainara, Second Assistant Secretary. ' Lieutenant-Colonel J. L. Sleeman, C.8.E., M.V.0., 1.G.5., has been appointed secretary of tho Board temporarily. The duties of this Board will be o» follow:— ... (1) To consider all questions of aviation in the Dominion and to advise the Minister responsible. (2) To consider and report upon all aviation proposals submitted lo the Government. (8) Thoconsidorotion of all Air Service questions, commercial, military, and naval, in connection with Kew Zealand. (4) The maintenance of touch with' tho Air Ministry in England. (5) The study of aviation .-.ctivities throughout the world in order to keep pace with modern developments.' Power is given the Board to call in experts on aviation to give evidence when noceesary, and to obtain expert advico from the Air Ministry in England. The Government already have foiif aeroplanes in New Zealand, and these are housed at the aviation ground in Canterbury.. Some timo ago, tihe Imperial Government offered the Dominion 100 war machines, and it is understood that twenty 'planes will be arriving in tho Dominion shortly. It is recognised that if aviation is to bo taken up in a pao tical manner in New Zealand, it B'ust be on the lines of commercial! develop* ment. and for that purpose formor wit machines would bo of little use. Siguificonco attaches to the fact that the postal service is to bo represented on tho Aif Board, because tho carriage of mails would no doubt bo ono of the Grst nnu moat practical usca to which aeroplanes would bo put. However, the wholo sub' iect of aviation as it affects Now Zealand is still very much "in tho air, 1 principally on account of tho prima importance of the financial aspoist of.Uid question, and; so far tho Government not eniQi&ated a deiinijje ait policy.