CIVIL AVIATION

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 28, 2 August 1923, Page 8

CIVIL AVIATION

ITS UTILITY IN NEW

ZEALAND

MR. MASSEY HAS HIS DOUBTS

POINT OP VIEW OF DEFENCE.

"Personally, I am not at all certain that for many years to come aviation will be of any benefit to New Zealand for civil purposes," declared the Prime Minister (Right- Hon. W. P. Massey) in reply to a deputation .which waited on him this morning to ask that an increased subsidy be granted to the Auckland Flying School.

The deputation comprised several Auckland members of Parliament, and the spokesman was Mr. Leo Walsh, who said that the present subsidy of £1500 a year was inadequate for the needs of the Kohimarama Flying School, which could not bo run under less than £5000 a year. He asked for a subsidy of £3000. The loss at present was £2000 a year. If the Government felt that civil aviation was to be encouraged, they should increase the subsidy. Mr. Massey : "We have to look at it from the point of view of defence." Mr. Walsh said that unless further assistance was forthcoming, the school would have to close down. A proportion of flying officers could be trained at the school, for which more work should bs provided. Then there was the question of site. He suggested that the Government should find a further site, and ne understood that a site was bein"- procured by the Government at Tamaki The Prime Minister: "What about a site north of Auckland?" •

Mr. Walsh stated that that was a matter for the Government to consider of course. But, if tho matter was to be looked at from the sole point of view of defence, civil aviation would lapse Mr. Massey: "What do you mean 'by civil aviation?' J

Mr. Walsh replied the transport of commercial men and doctors. he asked for a subsidy of itibuUO for his nyin"-

Alter sayins that he was not at all certain that civil aviation would be of any benefit to New Zealand for many years to come, Mi-. Massey stated that Horn the point of view of defence of this country, aviation must play a very important role. That was quite certain. i\o one who had watched tie train of events could come to any other conclusion. In such a matter, however, they must be guided by experts, who would have to report as to where the proper site was for an aerodrome. He was not able to say that they had got to that stage.yet but it would have to be settled in the very near future, and not trom the point of view of sentiment either. It would have to be settled from the point, of view o f defence alone. Until they g O t the opinion of the men best qualified to judge, it was of. no use spending money which might be wasted, it was the "business of the Defence Department to get that information. So Jar as he was concerned the business of the session was occupying his full time. <w,n° i lm! ster ,?/ Defence (the Hon. bn X, Hoaton Rhodes) : "When you return from the Conference you may have a better idea of how the seaplane branch of aviation can work in conjunction with the Admiralty." Mr. Massey agreed. "We hav o to decide ho said, "whether the seaplane or Uie ordinary aeroplane is better for the purpose. I hope to get that information if I get'to the Conference." He was asking the Minister of Defence to get a report from his officers, and when tins was received it would have to go 10 Cabinet.

Sir Heaton Rhodes remarked that the matter was before tho Defence Department along with proposals made by Mr. Walsh.

tli^ l\ W- ,J J -, Jordan- MJ?-. remarked that it would be a pity to lose the subsidy for the Auckland flying school Mi;. Massey: "1 have to look 'after the interests of New Zealand from tho point of view of Empire defence. I am not going to allow party politics to be brousht into this tiling." Mr. Jordan disclaimed" any such intention. The matter was national and tjiat was the point of view from which they looked at it.

Mr. J. A. Younff (Hamilton) said he realised that the Government must be guided by the reports of experts. Whatever action the Government-took ni the matter, then he would support the Government.

Mr. Massey: "That is the. right attitude to take up.