N.Z. MADE DROMES

Grey River Argus, 26 February 1943, Page 5

N.Z. MADE DROMES

AMERICAN’S STATEMENT

Refuted by N.Z. Air

Commodore

P.A. WELLINGTON, Feb 25 Some interest has been aroused by ■the statement attributed to Representative Colonel Melvin Maas in the Foreign Affairs Committee of the House of Representatives at Washington, which was published in the i New Zealand press to-day He said: “The new lend-lease authorisation should make it clear that the United States expects permanent military rights over certain routes. The Axis would have ’ completely; succeeded if the United States had'not intervened. If the United States must again bear the burden of maintaining the principles of freedom, we have a right t 0 establish permanent aviation prerogatives. New Zealand built 105 airfields for the United States and charged the- entire cost to the lend-lease. Nevertheless, after the war those fields belong to New Zealand.” When questioned about Colonel Maas’s statement that: “New Zealand built 105 airfields for the United States and charged the entire cost to the United States under a reverse lease-lend,” Chief of Air Staff. Air Commodore Goddard said: “I know Colonel Maas, having met him in the islands, after he had decided to give un military service, and to return to politics. Although I have not yet seen -the full text of what Colonel Maas said, and knowing Colonel Maas, I am not surprised at the report. It is, however, entirely incorrect and highly misleading.” The Air Commodore said that he presumed Colonel Maas was referring to the airfields that have been built in New Zealand during the past ten years and more. Not one of these fields—even the most modern—was built under the lease-lend arrangement. Certain airfields outside of New Zealand, in the Islands, Have been built by New Zealand engineers for the Americans. Certain air--fields in New Zealand have been constructed, or improved, to meet the United States requirements, but not one under the lease-lend arrangement. so far. “I heard Colonel Maas make similarly exaggerated statements regarding' the Australian Forces, although on that occasion the exaggerations did not magnify the Australian achievements. I refuted his statements then, as I do now.” he added.