NO TRAINING SCHOOL

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20632, 13 August 1941, Page 3

NO TRAINING SCHOOL

GISBORNE AERODROME DEFENCE POLICY MATTER COUNCIL CONSIDERATION The recent refusal of the Government to establish an air training school on the Gisborne aerodrome was explained in a letter to the Gisborne Borough Council'last night, when, after a discussion regarding the wisdom of the Government’s action, the council decided not to press the matter further, as it was regarded as a defence policy matter. Explaining his previous letter, the Minister of Defence, the Hon. F. Jones, wrote that the meaning he intended to convey was that neither the existing aerodrome nor its location in relation to the rest of New Zealand was suitable for the particular requirements of living training as carried out at a large service flying training school. Mr. R. Morse stated that a flying school had been established at Tauranga and he saw no reason why Gisborne should not have the same facilities. The Mayor, Mr. N. H. Bull: We have always been the Cinderella of New Zealand. “Second to None” Mr. li. H. De Costa considered that the Gisborne aerodrome was second to none in New Zealand. Mr. G. J. Jeune agreed with the Minister of Defence that Gisborne was not suitable for a flying school. Tauranga had a flying school, possibly because it was close to the main centres. Mr. G. Bradley Smith said that the matter was not one for the council, but for the defence authorities, who should know what was best. Mr. F. Toierton said that the Gisborne aerodrome was superior to some aerodromes because of the absence of mud. Dr. A. L. Singer said the establishment of a training school here would he expensive. The Mayor agreed that the matter war one of Government policy, and was not a suitable matter for the council to pursue. On the motion of Mr. Jeune, the letter was received. The Municipal Association, in reply to inquiries by the council, advised that the Government was unable to bring down legislation during the present session on the matter of the exemption of aerodrome lands from (he provision of ihe Rating Act. The Mayor said the town clerk, Mr. W. M. Jenkins, was to be congratulated on his efforts in endeavouring to nave legislation put through to secure exemption from rating on unused aerodromes.