DISTRICT EXCLUDED

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22571, 26 February 1948, Page 4

DISTRICT EXCLUDED

GIFT AIRCRAFT “UNJUST ALLOCATION” CLUB REGISTERS PROTEST Inadequate assistance by the Government and the Royal New Zealand Aero Club’s policy in the distribution of gift aircraft were strongly criticised by the president of the Gisborne Aero Club, Mr. G. A. Nicholls, at the annual meeting last night. He described the distribution of aircraft as most unjust.

The president, said representations had been made by the club for the allotment of four of the 42 Tiger Moths released by the Government. Distribution was being made through the Royal New Zealand Aero Club, and that body had interpreted the disposal of the aircraft as being on a basis commensurate with the amount of subsidy clubs claimed to have earned in 1946. Strongest Representations

“On this basis the Gisborne Aero Club, along with other recently-formed clubs, has been left out of the distribution,” stated the president. “The strongest representations have been made to the Royal New Zealand Aero Club pointing out the unfairness of the distribution, and this club maintains that the Royal New Zealand Aero Club is not fulfilling its functions in fostering aviation, by precluding newlyformed clubs from being included in the distribution of these gift aircraft. “The present position is that this matter will be discussed at the annual meeting of the Royal New Zealand Aero Club in April. If our representations to that body do not bear fruit, it is intended to take the matter direct to the Minister of Defence, and to fight the decision of the Royal New Zealand Aero Club to the utmost.” “Grab by Older Clubs”

It was considered to be most unjust that old-established clubs which had received sums of money in subsidies and also profits from art unions in prewar years should make a grab at all the gift Tiger Moths and leave the small clubs out, said the president. Aircraft had even been allotted to clubs which did not ask to be included in the original tender to the War Assets Realisation Board.

This was the last opportunity the Gisborne Aero Club had to obtain cheap aircraft. Today a new aircraftwould cost at least £2500. Other members of the club also expressed disappointment that the club was not receiving any Government aircraft and it was hoped that the representations to the Royal New Zealand Aero Club would prove successful.