FIGHTER PLANES.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 239, 6 September 1940, Page 6

FIGHTER PLANES.

GIFT OF £20,001). BY MR ALMA BAKER. Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, Sept. 5. Cable advice has been received by tho Prime Minister (Rt. HOll. P. jjraser) that Mr Alma Baker, of Malaya, lias donated £20,000 to the British Government for the provision I of four fighter planes for the Royal Air T'orce. The planes are to be inscribed “Alma Baker, New Zealand,” “Alma Baker, Malaya,” “Alma Baker, Australia,” and “Alma Baker.” The first, machine is inscribed to record the fact that Mr Baker is a New Zealander. He was born in Otago in 1857, though lie has lived in Malaya for 52 years. The other three machines, Mr Baker said, are given in grateful remembrance of the splendid response to his battleplane appeal during the last war. Referring this evening to-the appeal throughout the Dominion for fuuds to purchase aeroplanes lor the United Kingdom, the Prime Minister* stated that the first proposal of this kind was placed before him by telephone in June by Mr C. A. Boles (Mayor of Taumarunui). Mr Boles was anxious to launch an appeal for a. fighter aeroplane immediately, but out of deference to Mr Eraser’s opinion that the matter required more careful consideration, he held over any public announcement until further advice reached him.

Later similar proposals were suggested in other parts of the country, consequently Taumarunui did not receive full credit for its patriotic initiative. “I understand the King Country will now be associated with Auckland in its effort,” said Mr Fraser. RESPONSE IN AUCKLAND. Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, Sept. 5. The £30,000 mark aimed at under the Herald readers’ aeroplane fund was passed to-day, 19 days after the appeal was opened. The fund will be closed on Saturday.