WEDNESDAY, APRIL 13, 1938. Where Are The Planes ?

Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 87, 13 April 1938, Page 4

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 13, 1938. Where Are The Planes ?

The announcement was reecntly made that a contract had been let for hangars at the Ohakea military aerodrome, the cost to be £105,000. This will be the third, and the Dominion’s chief, military ’drome. The two others, already long developed, are 'Wigram and Hobsonville. Of civil aerodromes of high capacity we have now about half a dozen, all of which could be devoted to defence purposes in case of emergency.

It is, therefore, obvious that we do not lack for aerodromes. But where are the ’planes to use them? It is doubtful if there are in this Dominion at present a dozen ’planes, civil or military, that have any real value for defence purposes. Nor has any announcement been made to show that this lack is appreciated by the Defence Department or the Government.

The state of the world to-day is such that no people can a fiord to neglect their defences except at peril of their freedom. Of what use is there in the Government “building a new order” in New Zealand when all may be so easily swept away, due to utter neglect of that prime duty of all governments, the defence of the realm.

Sorrowfully it must be admitted that, in practice, the Government has no defence policy worthy of the name, nor does it show any real appreciation of the need for one, either by act or deed.

Aerodromes without ’planes are of no more use than factories without machinery or farms without stock.

New Zealand is on the Pacific fault line—and not only so for earthquakes. The country can be defended, and successfully, if we prepare ourselves; and it should be defended. A first line of defence is an efficient, well-equipped and numerous air force. We will not lack for pilots of outstanding natural ability, but they must be provided with ’planes. Not a mere dozen, nor even fifty, but at least 100 and, better still, 200 speedy ’planes.

Defence will cost money, but so does fire, accident and life insurance. Surely it is worth a substantial premium to ensure our undisturbed tenure of this Pacific Paradise; wherein we and our descendants may work out our conception of a higher civilisation. The failure of the Government to provide for the defence of the Dominion imperils all that we hold dear.