AIR TRAINING IN NEW ZEALAND

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 208, 29 May 1940, Page 8

AIR TRAINING IN NEW ZEALAND

Help Given By Aero Clubs INTEREST-FREE LOAN TILL END OF WAR Without the machines and personnel taken over from clubs the Government's air training scheme in New Zealand could not have proceeded as expeditiously as had been the case, said the Chief of the Air Staff, Group Captain H. W. L. Saunders, in a letter received at the annual meeting of the Royal New Zealand Aero Club, in Wellington recently. The group captain expressed appreciation of the work done by aero clubs in the past toward the defence of the Dominion. “For many years this club has urged upon the Government the necessity of assisting clubs by financial grants and otherwise iu order, first, that there may be available iu times of emergency a sound organization for the instruction of flying and the necessary personnel and equipment and, second, that there may be fostered a spirit of airmindedness in our people, which, in times such as these, is shown by the number of volunteers for the Air Force and by the patriotic work so universally carried out to assist our airmen,” said the annual report of the club. “The wisdom of the past action in this direction is borne out by the fact that on the outbreak of war there was immediately available to the Government machines and equipment for elementary training, along with a nucleus of efficient instructors. “The Government decided that Air Force ‘ab initio' training would be carried out more expeditiousiy in its own stations, rather than in the existing clubs, and accordingly steps were taken in September, 1939, to take over from all clubs all machines and staff in any way useful to the prosecution of this end. Representatives of the Treasury and Air Department visited clubs and purchase prices were agreed on for all equipment&required. “At your club’s special council meeting, held on September 27 lost, it was decided that payment due by the Government be allowed to stand over free of interest till the end of the war, when the Government agreed that payment be made or machines replaced in order that, as far as possible, the individual flying clubs may again take up their usual activities.' “In some instances it was found that aircraft were unsuitable for Air Force requirements, and in these cases endeavours are being made to continue with limited flying in order that interest may be kept alive in the clubs themselves. Keeping Clubs Alive. “With the cessation of flying the clubs, of course, loose the principal reason for their existence aud so that the aero club movement.iu the Dominion shall be kept in a live and flourishing state it is of the utmost importance that committees and members take even greater interest in their clubs than previously. It would be cause for much regret if the patient work and hard won results of past enthusiasts were lost and the aero clubs themselves were to forfeit in a measure the public appeal that they now hold. “Your council feels, therefore, in view of the position as just pointed out, that when the war is over the flying clubs should take up their training activities in addition to the usual facilities extended to members. The Government of the Dominion has had no cause to regret the aid given to clubs over past years, and it is felt that an even greater measure of assistance should be extended in the future.” The club also placed on record its appreciation of the gallant work of the Royal Air Force, many outstanding exploits of which have been carried out by pilots who received their early training at the hands of constituent aero clubs.

Gratification was expressed at the total of £23,707 of interest-free loans made by clubs to the Government consequent to the taking over of aeroplanes and equipment.