FLEET AIR ARM DIFFICULTIES IN NEW ZEALAND

Grey River Argus, 30 June 1947, Page 7

FLEET AIR ARM DIFFICULTIES IN NEW ZEALAND

AUCKLAND, June 26.

A warning that although he felt it would be worthwhile, the introduction of a Fleet Air Arm unit for the Royal New Zealand Navy would result in the present Navy vote of £l,200,000 having to be at least doubled was given by Captain C. R. V. Pugh, naval officer in charge at Auckland, at the annual meeting of the Auckland branch of the New Zealand Navy League last evening. The Mayor (Mr J. A. C. Allum) remarked earlier in the meeting that he could not understand why the Royal New Zealand Navy seemed to have no aircraft.

“They are just starting a Fleet Air Arm in Australia at enormous expense,” added Captain Pugh. He hoped the people talking of a Fleet Air Arm in this country realised how much there would be to pay. The mimimum requirement of the Fleet Air Arm would be an aircraft carrier and the extra cost would be a large amount for a small country to stand. If the Navy got the money it would still have to get technicallytrained men. At present there were twenty different categories of men at the Devonport Naval Base and another twenty categories would be needed for Fleet Air Arm work. “I would like to see it myself,” continued Captain Pugh. “Nothing is too difficult if it is worth while, and I think it is worth while. But whoever handles it will have to have their eyes open.”

Captain Pugh said he hoped there would be a long period of peace. The Navy could stand prolonged periods of peace because it had organisations like the Navy League behind it. The league’s work in support of a strong Navy was perhaps more important in peace than in war.