NAVAL AIR SERVICES.

Evening Star, Issue 23863, 18 April 1941, Page 4

NAVAL AIR SERVICES.

Although there is still every reason to hope that the war will not be extended to the Pacific, it would bo foolish not to consider the possibility of such an emergency arising and to make preparations accordingly. During the period when enemy commerce raiders in Australian and New Zealand waters were particularly active a patrolling aircraft carrier would have been invaluable in tracking down the marauders, and the officers and crews of the merchant marine, gallantly carrying out their duties in a practically .unarmed state, would have welcomed the added measure of security. At that time, however, the Fleet Air Arm was busily engaged in the Mediterranean and elsewhere. None of its units could bo spared for duty in the Southern Pacific. It was in the Mediterranean that the Fleet Air Arm, by its vigorous actions against the enemy, notably at Taranto and later in the Battle of Cape Matapan, finally silenced its most persistent critics. Britain depends for her existence on control of the seas, and that control has clearly been maintained to such an extent by the work of naval aircraft that Australians are beginning to give serious thought to the creation of a Fleet Air Arm for the Southern Pacific. Any initiative shown by the Commonwealth in this direction is worthy of being supported by New Zealand to the best of its ability. Should Avar come to the Pacific, involving both the United States and Japan, it will be found that each of these nations will place immense value on its naval air services, which will give added mobility, greater range, and increased striking poAver across the vast

distances of the Pacific. America has six huge aircraft carriers in service (including tho biggest and fastest in the world). Two aro building, and orders have been placed for ten more. Japan has six big carriers and three smaller seaplane carriers, while her secret construction programme is thought to provide for at least four more of the larger type of vessel. Possible reinforcements for Singapore would place Britain’s position in the Far East on a much sounder footing, but Australia, which already has the most powerful of alt the dominion navies, is becoming more and more inspired by a worthy self-re-liant spirit which seeks expression in the foundation of her own Fleet Air Arm. In some quarters attention has been drawn to the greater efficiency which would result if the Navy could train its own Hying men from tho very beginning in its own methods, and was able to carry out sea reconnaissance by ships and planes under one operational control—a control based on knowledge of the sea and the movements of shipping. This would bo the first step towards the acquisition of an aircraft carrier, which could be adequately protected by the over-expanding Navy of the Commonwealth. If, in the light of Pacific developments and tho proved value of such a service, Australia decided to proceed with the establishment of her own Fleet Air Arm, New Zealand, however difficult the problem lor her, should examine all ways and means of giving aid to the project.

The various .organisations behind the respective “tickets” which are to be nominated for office in connection with the forthcoming local bodies elections continue their activities in the enrolling of voters. This morning upvyards of 800 further applications for addition to the supplementary roll were received at the Town Hall, which brings the figures close to the 3,000 mark, with possibly more to come.

Mr Justice Kennedy has granted probate in the following estates: J ames Millar Thomson, of Dunedin, retired Presbyterian minister; Peter Gemmell Wright, of Otekaike, farmer; William Gard, of Bortons, farmer; James Rodger, of Dunedin, architect; Alexander Stevenson Famiilton, of Hampden, storekeeper; Elisabeth Dale, of Milton, married woman; David Clark, of Moneymore, farmer; Elizabeth Shoehy, of Waikouaiti, married woman; Adelaide Butterfield, of Oamaru, married woman; George Lindsay, of Wedderburn, retired farmer; Margaret MacKinnon, of Kaitangata, married woman; Robert John Gibson, of Port Chalmers, painter; Thomas Falconer, of Tokoiti, farmer; and James Aherne. of Owaka, retired butcher. Letters of administration were granted in the estates of Doreen Turnbull, of St. Leonards, married woman ; Williamina Kennedy Miller, of Brighton, widow; and Alister Richard Mowat. of Clydevale, assistant engineer officer. The four automatic false alarms which called the City Fire Brigade out to the Hillside Railway Workshops early yesterday morning were followed by another at 5.12 in tho afternoon. There was also one from the premises of Messrs A. and T. Inglis, at a minute before midnight. In the afternoon there was a chimney fire at 16 Atkinson street. South Dunedin, and at 4.43 p.m. there was a small fire in a wooden building in Cargill road. It had been used as a plasterer’s workshop and store room, and the stock suffered slight damage.

“As the nation should realise from the present position, Ave must inevitably reduce consumption of many goods Ave have come to regard as necessities,” said Mr W. W. Mulholland. speaking yesterday at the _ Farmers Union meeting. “ There will be no need to go hungry oi underclad, but avo Avill have to do Avithout certain lines in food and clothes. It seems to mo a fallacy to provide people Avith money that they cannot spend. Attempts to increase the spending power of the people—including the farmers—would be very ill-advised. It should be little short of high treason for anyone to get away Avith maintaining previous standard of living in these times.” The mayor (Mr A. H. Allen) acknoAvledges Avith thanks the receipt of a donation of £4 from Mr and Mrs W. (R. Malcolm to the fund for the “ adoption ” of Chinese refugee children, bringing the total up to £1,020 0s 4d. The usually monotonous journey by tram to a seaside suburb was relieved recently by the persistence of a passenger who paid no fare and refused to alight when requested to do so by the conductor. Inebriation Avas not the factor in the case, as the offender was a well-known “ foxy ” of doubtful lineage, but unquestioned sagacity. The harassed conductor, avlioso patience avus not improved by the appreciation shown by the passengers of the entertainment, tried vainly to do his duty, but at each stopping place the interloper boarded the car to seek sanctuary under a seat. Until the second section was passed honours were even, but in the final stage canine determination triumphed OA’er officialdom, “ If yon feed people on the unusual yon cannot expect them to appreciate their surroundings,” said Mr G. Guy, education officer of the Canterbury Museum, in an address to the Canterbury School Committees’ Association. “ Of course, it is useful to have some unusual things; but if you fill a museum with monstrosities yon give people a false idea of reality.” For example, he said, it Avas not so instructive to exhibit in a museum the largest fish over caught in the neighbourhood as to exhibit a typical specimen. At a sitting of the Metropolitan Transport Licensing Authority yesterday an application for the transfer of a taxi license from J. Murphy to L. A. Keogh, to operate in Kaikorai. was granted subject to the authority’s approval of a zone map to be submitted. The authority also had before it a report from a traffic inspector dealing with the activities of a private ear owner who had been plying for hire. It Avas decided to ri.sno a warning to the person concerned.

In a letter from a New Zealand sergeant stationed in England is told the story of Betty and Rosalind, who live in London. Both were needlework specialists before the war, earning good money in excellent jobs. When the call to arms came they immediately joined the army of workers in aviation factories, accepting less money to assist in the production of England’s air armada. In a huge factory daily from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m., with half an hour off for lunch, they are doing their bit. working calmly through air raids. At night they return to their home on the fifth floor of a largo building in the centre of a Nazi target area. Asked if they took shelter during the “ blitz.” they replied without emotion that they preferred their bods, because they could not obtain a good night’s rest in the shelters, and to do their work properlv rest was essential. “True British.” comments the writer, “ . , , girls with grit.”