AERO CLUB

Hokitika Guardian, 16 June 1938, Page 6

AERO CLUB

annual meeting. (Per Press Association —Copyright). .WELLINGTON, June id. The annual meeting of the Royal New Zealand Aero Club was held this morning, the president. Mr H. J. Maealistcr in the chair. The report stated it was intended to discuss with the Minister of Defence, the possibility of some .measure of assistance to general club flying. Tt is maintained by the Council that a pilot who qualifies for his license, was at least incidentally fitting himself for service in time of national liesd, and hv virtue of this fact was deserving of some assistance. Opening the meeting, the Defence Minister, Hon. E. Jones, said relations between clubs and the Government would remain ..harmonious. It was very gratifying to him to see the part civil aviation had taken .in relief .work, especially about Hastings. One of the. present ..problems was the number of Aero Clubs coming into, being. He thought the ‘conference should .consul-

er 'the question of federations in various areas, which would give them better facilities for dealing with the position.

Last year the Government spent over £19,000 under its agreement with clubs, and in addition £12,280 had boon paid over,by wav of loans, and over £4OOO for gift machines. They were willing if clubs wore prepared to bring out more aircraft, to consider the point of obtaining these machines, as they would be available for training purposes in the event of emergency, •■/nd that would ho all to the good. They had a fairly big bill for service aviation this year, hut lie would consider any point raised and would conclude an agreement for the next two years, if the meeting thought fit. A lot of new equipment was being obtained for inspection of aircraft and also treat- ] ing a fine technical staff. This was a very important side of the Air Department's work. He was determined to j ensure the safety of passengers and pilots.

The follow ing officers were elected : President, T. E. 0. Dawd ; Vice-Presi-dents, A. S. Burgess and A. A. McNabb; Hon. Auditor, T. Forsyth.