EXPANSION PLANS

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 257, 28 July 1939, Page 8

EXPANSION PLANS

Dominion’s Air Force And Army PROCEEDING APACE Further Measures Outlined By Minister Further plans for the development of the army and air force were announced by the Minister of Defence, Mr. Jones, in an interview yesterday. The Minister emphasized that the work of making; the Dominion’s defences effective was proceeding apace, and though it was naturally not possible to tell the public everything about the measures in hand, the people could rest assured that nothing was being overlooked. “It has been decided,” the Minister said, "to retain for another year the services of Wing Commander G. S. Hodson, who is in charge of the flying training school at Wigram. He is on interchange with Wing Commander J. L. Findlay, who is at present in England.” Mr. Jones said that authority had been given for the purchase of two Fraser Nash gun turrets, which were used in high-speed aircraft and were essential to enable the guuner to operate his weapons at those speeds. Each turret contained two guns operated by a director. This was standard equipment of the Royal Air Force, and would be used for ground armament training at Ohakea and Whenuapai. Further development proposed at Ohakea would include the recently-approved installation of six 20,000-gallon tanks and one 11,000gallon tank for the storage of bulk petrol. Blenheim Station. Dealing with the air force expansion at Blenheim, Mr. Jones said arrangements were being made for the installation at the Blenheim aeradio station of directiou-fliiding equipment and medium and short-wave transmitters. The sum of £5653 had been approved for the installation at the air force station at Woodburn aerodrome, Blenheim, of electric power, and Cabinet had also approved the construction of a water tower with a capacity of 100,000 gallons at the station. Officers would be arriving from England oyer the next six months to fill specialist appointments in the new flying train ing school at Blenheim. Army development, Mr. Jones added. Included the expenditure of £5450 at the Narrow Neck camp on a new garage and gun park and store expansion. These facilities were required for the accommodation of the equipment used in mechanized training. Ordnance stores buildings were at present under construction at Trentham. and arrangements were being made for the extension of the railway siding to serve the stores. Schools of Instruction. “Thirty-six officers of the Reserve of Officers and 72 non-commissioned officers are to be selected from men who have registered with the military reserve,” the Minister said, “and they will undergo a refresher course of six days at district schools of instruction. At the completion of their courses these men will be in a position to undertake the training of Class I reservists.” Other items mentioned by the Minister were the proposed expenditure of £350 on the planting of shelter belts at the artillery training camp at Sutton. Central Otago, and the renovation and repair of the Oamaru drill hall at a cost of more than £4OO.