GOOD STRATEGY

Evening Post, Volume CXXVI, Issue 63, 12 September 1938, Page 5

GOOD STRATEGY

AEROPLANE GROUNDS

FIFTY-THREE NOW LICENSED

(By Telegraph—Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, September 11. The Government's plan for the establishment of aerodromes and landing grounds is proceeding so rapidly that there are now 53 licensed for regular operation. "We found we had to have grounds capable of taking the most modern and heaviest bombing machines used today," said the Minister of Public Works (the Hon. R. Semple), in an interview. He emphasised the strategic value of the scheme. "When Sir Edward Ellington was here I questioned him about our programme. He told me we were doing the right thing and constructing the type of aerodrome and landing-ground necessary," said Mr. Semple. "Sir Edward Ellington said it was imperative to have grounds with runways of sufficient length to take these new bombers, allow a take-off with maximum loads and 100 per cent, efficiency, and land under the same conditions." Appreciation of the valuable help given to the Government by Group-Cap-tain the Hon. R. A. Cochrane, chief of the air staff, who will soon return to England, was expressed by Mr. Semple. He said tHat Group-Captain Cochrane's advice, particularly in the development of the Government's plans for the establishment of an adequate system of aerodromes and landing-grounds throughout the country, had been of the greatest assistance. Group-Captain Cochrane's extended term of service expires early in 1939, and an announcement is expected shortly about his successor.