MANAWATU AERO CLUB

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIV, Issue 307, 24 November 1934, Page 7

MANAWATU AERO CLUB

GOVERNMENT’S RECOGNITION. t OPPOSED BY NEW ZEALAND AERO CLUB. WELLINGTON, Nov. 24. - Opposition to the recognition of the ■Manawatu Aero Club by the Government was voiced at the meeting of the New Zealand Aero Club yesterday, when a telegram was received making application for affiliation with that body. “The Manawatu Aero Club lias apflied for Government recognition, and be Minister has undertaken to coneider favourably recognition of an eleventh club formed by the amalgamation of the Manawatu and Feilding clubs,” the telegram said. “This is now in process of negotiation, possibly under the title of the Central Federated Aero Club, and provisional application is hereby made for affiliation with the New Zealand Aero Club, subject to recognition being granted and confirmation by the new club when forrqed.” Regret that a club which had Squad-ron-Leader M. C. McGregor as its instructor, and had had the initiative to enter a machine in the Centenary air race should be an Ishmael, was expressed by the president of the New Zealand Aero Club, Mr G. M. Spence. He explained that formerly Manawatu had been a member of the Western Federated Flying Club, which was one of those recognised by the Government,. but had broken away from it. _“I have _ told them definitely our policy is limiting the number of clubs rather than having a large number of small clubs growing up,” Mr Spence stated. “A multiplicity of clubs is contrary to the policy of the Defence Department as well as to that of this club.”

He thought that the Government should not recognise them without asking the New Zealand Aero Club. The New Zealand club had been conducting flying in New Zealand, and it should be asked whether it was in the interests of aviation in the Dominion.

Mr C. C. Weinstein, Wellington, suggested that Manawatu should join with Wairarapa, thus giving more territory to Wellington, whch had had to rely onthe, city..alone. “We have suffered long enough from the lack of background,” he concluded, saying that he would oppose Manawatu’s application. Mr H. L. Patterson (Otago) declared that if this recognition of extra clubs was allowed to go on, the result would be chaos. He, too, would oppose the application. Mr R. Spencer Mason (Auckland) said that it was only fair to Wellington, that there should be a rearrangement. To him, it was remarkable that the Wellington club had been able to carry on with such a small territory to draw on, and yet had such a large number of pilots. Manawatu, Wellington, and Wairarapa should meet and try to form some basis of linking up Manawatu and Wairarapa. He did not blame Manawatu for seceding from the Western Federation, although he did not know the reason, because they were a long way from the headquarters at New Plymouth. It was decided to leave the matter to Mr Spence, who is •to convey the club’s decision to the Manawatu Club. “Does that leave the way open for a reshuffling of territory as farms Wellington is concerned ?” asked Mr Weinstein. . . - Mr Spence replied that the clubs had been given a lead arid might confer and make application for a reallocation, of Mr W. L. Free (Wairarapa) then promised to try to arrange a conference.

CLAIM FOR RECOGNITION,

MANAWATU CLUB’S RECORD.

OWN GOODWILL ESTABLISHED. Tlie position of the Manawatu Aero Club, which without official assistance has by the sheer force of its enterprise and achievements advanced to the forefront of civil aviation in New Zealand, was explained by the president (Air H. E'. Edmunds) in an interview with a “Standard” representative to-day. “Someyears ago,” he said, “certain clubs were recognised by the Government as approved aero clubs, and they formed themselves into a body which became known as the New Zealand Aero Club. At that time, the Manawatu’ Club, together with those at New Plymouth, Hawera, Wanganui and Eeilding, was a constituent member of the Western Flyi*g Federation, a group in which each club retained its individual identity. We did not find this satisfactory on account of the headquarters being situated at New Plymouth, and because all the revenue received from flying activities had to be paid to the Federation, leaving none for club finances. Moreover, though three machines were available, difficulty was experienced, owing to mishaps, in securing the ’planes when they were required here for training purposes. In the event of an accident to any machine, the Manawatu Club, whether or not its trainees were responsible, was called upon to contribute its share of the cost. This proved to be an expensive proposition in comparison with the benefits received. Consequently, the Manawatu Club withdrew, about three years ago, purchased its first- ’plane, and commenced flying on its own account. NO GOVERNMENT SUBSIDY.

“Application was made to the Government for the usual subsidy of £25 granted clubs for each pilot trained, but in view of the fact that the Manawatu Club had not been officially recognised by the New Zealand Aero Club, this was declined. Repeated requests have been made for Government recognition, it being pointed out that the Manawatu Aero Club was training equally as many, if not more pilots than the approved bodies. These pilots, too, have demonstrated that they are capable of more than holding their own in competitions, as a long string of pageant successes testifies, and the culminating point of which is the light ’plane record established in the Centenary Air Race. Manawatu trained pilots won the principal events at both the last North Island and South Island official air pageants “Owing to the absence ot Government support,” continued Mr Edmunds, “the club has had an uphill fight as regards finances, but notwithstanding this it purchased another ’plane and botll machines are engaged in continents training work. It .will most probably be taking over the ‘Miles-Hawk monoplane shortly from the Centenary Race .Committee. be en the practice of the Government, in addition to paying the training subsidy, to loan at least one ’nlane to aero clubs. We have never had the use of one of these machines. Recently, application was again made Rim Min ster of Defence (Hon J. C r&bbe) for Government recognition of the club’s activities. It was prom- - r+W consideration would be given provided that the club expandto, ..n Sorbed a smaller one, wlierea •. wou ld probably receive the Upoll Wuldies as other clubs. NegotiaSfS'SrogresswitbthereiU.ng

Club, who have signified their willingness to amalgamate, subject to suitable arrngements being arrived at. “Noticing that the New Zealand Aero Club was holding its annual meet ing in Wellington yesterday, added Mr Edmunds, “the Manawatu Club decided to seek affiliation. It has been mentioned that the policy of the New Zealand Aero Club is to limit the number of clubs in existence in order to prevent the formation of smaller clubs. The Manawatu Club cannot be said to come within the latter category. It was established early in the history of civil fiving; in New Zealand, and though it is apparently regarded by officialdom as the Islimael or the Cindenffia of aviation, the, action of the New Zealand Aero Club will not in the least curtail its activities. It has built up, on its own initiative, without the assistance either of the New Zealand . Aero Club or the Government an enviable goodwill and record, to such an extent that the ability of its pilots is recognised throughout New Zealand. SUMMARY OF CLAIMS. “The Manawatu Aero Club considers it to be in the best interests of. both local and national aviation to remain a separate body, and will not again consider a merger proposal except in the case of Feilding, with other clubs because of the danger that its identity, now so well established, will be moie or less submerged. “The claims advanced for official recognition of the club may be summarised as follow: (1) Its ownership' of two Gipsy Moth ’planes in first class condition and the contemplated acquisition of the MilesHawk ’plane from the Centenary Race Committee. . " . ‘ , (2) The present employment ot a fully-qualified full time pilot instructor (Squadron-Leader M. C. McGiegoi), and a fully-qualified ground engineer (Air L. Alangham). lhe latter s ability has been recognised by Ins appointment as engineer for the New Zealand tour of the Centenary Air Race fliers (3) The training to date ol 38 pilots in the Alanawatu-F eilding area 11 of whom have endorsed A certificates, all of which has been accomplished without Government assistance. _ (4) At least ten pupils from the Alanawatu-F eilding area are waiting to commence training immediately Squadron-Leader McGregor resumes his dl “lF'tlie function of aero clubs is only to train pilots, this district has produced a substantial number of highly qualified airmen, and on that ground alone is entitled to- full Government recognition on a basis • at least equal to that of some of the-approved clubs;