Defence of Dominion.

Gisborne Times, Volume LXVIII, Issue 10727, 26 October 1928, Page 3

Defence of Dominion.

MOKE MONEY FOR AIR. FORCE. COST OF LAND FORCES TO BE REDUCED. (Special To The Times). DARGAVILLE, Oct. 24. In the course of his address at Dargaville. Mr Coates gave a. hint of a slight revision of the territorial defence scheme, in order to provide more money for the air service. - “The government had,” he said, “received a report from Sir John Salmond, and there was no doubt die air'service would have to be developed. It was thought that the costs of the land forces could be revised a little and the amounts that were saved there passed on to the Air Force. For instance, there was the cost of coast defence guns. It was thought that better service could, perhaps, be given by bomb u ing aircraft, land machines and sea machines,” The Prime Minister said lie thought this could be done with perfect safety. All that was wanted from the territorial force, he added, v> as a body of men, who could L e so ecuinpod and"trained that N.Z. woul.l to abie to take her part with cr« (lit in the defence of the Empire. It was not desired that the toys should be given military thoughts, but only that they should know how to keep their powder day and be worthy of the stock from which ihey came. (Applause).