TRAINING FLYERS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20074, 21 October 1939, Page 5

TRAINING FLYERS

EMPIRE SCHEME CANADIAN PRAIRIES HUGE OUTLAY PLANNED POSSIBLE LOAN CONFIDENCE EXPRESSED (Reed. Oct. 21, 9 a.m.) NEW YORK, Oct. 20. The Ottawa correspondent of the New York Times states, that details of the scheme to train British airmen in 'Canada revealed since the arrival of Lord Riverdale, indicate a larger scale than was at first imagined. The plan involves the consruction of 100 aerodromes on the prairies where training is feasible in all seasons.

The men will begin to arrive a fortnight after the Australian and New Zealand missions early in November. Use will be made of the facilities at Borden and other established centres until the new areodromes are ready.

Canada will iiave full control of the schools and the appointment of instructors, but the nucleus of the latter is coming from England. It is expected that the present advanced course of eight weeks will be accelerated. Construction Costs It is estimated that £140,000,000 will be needed for the construction of aerociromes, barracks and training planes. The preliminary cost will prbbably be the object of the first war loan. There is little doubt of its success, since the proceeds will be a devoted project so stimulating to the imagination. Further, since the maintenance will require £IOO,000,000 annually it is possible that Canada's expenditure on the air defences alone will equal the cost of all branches in the Great War. There are evidences that Canada will also benefit from the decentralisation of British naval activities. The Canadians are steadily increasing tneir co-operation with convoys and other anti-submarine activities. It is understood that this requires doubling the personnel, improving port facilities, constructing anti-submarine vessels and minesweepers and possibly larger battleships if, and when, the bombing of British ports is intensified.