KINGSFORD SMITH’S FUTURE

Evening Star, Issue 21012, 28 January 1932, Page 6

KINGSFORD SMITH’S FUTURE

NO LIKELY JOB IN NEW ZEALAND

[Special to the ‘ Stab.’]

CHRISTCHURCH, January 27. With the announcement that Aircommodore Kingsford Smith may come to reside in New Zealand, there arises the question what he would undertake. Men prominent in aviation in Christchur ‘ hold out small chances of his securing a worth-while position. The suggestion has been made that the aero clubs of the dominion might combine to offer him a full-time job, but that was considered impossible by a man conversant with the policy of the clubs.

As a whole the opinion of several persons spoken to was that he would bo much better advised to stay in Australia, or go to the United States, where he would probably be welcomed.

“ There are some very good men about just now looking for pilots’ jobs, and I don’t hold out much hope for Kingsford Smith,” said a man connected with aviation locally. “ There have been vacancies in the ranks of aero club instructors in the last few yer •, and he might secure one of those if he was willing to take a job of possibly £SOO a year. However, I can’t see him getting anyoning at present.” “ I don’t think, there is any job here for Kingsford Smith,” said Flight-lieu-tenant J. 0. Mercer, instructor to the Canterbury Aero Club. “ There are two or three men in New Zealand pegging away here and there in the hope of something cropping up in time, and naturally they hope to get the jobs. Personally I don’t think he would have a chance of a job, as there are several fellows who have had experience of New Zealand flying, and perhaps they would be better adapted for a comprehensive job than Smith. If Smith did get a job in New Zealand it would rouse a bit ,of interest for a while, but it is impossible for any commercial firm to get going just now, as the Government is not going to help. He would have a much better chance of getting something in Australia. There are many pilots about looking for jobs, and they are good pilots, but cannot get work.”