That is the Answer

Manawatu Times, Volume 64, Issue 96, 26 April 1939, Page 4

That is the Answer

Minister Replies to Defence Criticism

OHAKEA UP TO SCHEDULE “That’s the answer to those people who say we are doing nothing for the defence of New Zealand," stated lion. R. (Semple last evening, following a visit of inspection to the Royal New Zealand Air Force station at Ohakea. “They should visit these places and then they will have to apologise or shut up," he added. The Minister expressed pleasure that all tho work on tho station was up to schedule. The construction of the ’drome was just about completed except for such matters as top-dressing and tho sowing of the flying Hold. The hangars were a credit to tho department and to the contractor. Similar work was planned for Wlienuapai, only thoro the foundations would have to be deoper. It was interesting, though, to note that the same huge fabricated steel falsework used in the construction of tho hangars at Ohakea would bo dismantled and then taken to Auckland, where it would servo the same purpose at Wlienuapai. Everything Right Up to Date

Accommodation at Ohakea would have to be provided for two squadrons, which would mean a totai of somewhere between 500 and 600 people, and he was anxious to get the work completed and the personnel on tho spot, it would be one of tho iinest, if not the best, aerodromes in Australasia and the equipment would be quite up to date in every way. It would compare with anything in the world. There were no hangars of a similar design in Australia. It had to be remembered that all this had been done in the last three or lour years. They were spending nearly a million pounds at Ohakea aud a similar amount at Wheuuapai. Plan for Decentralisation Additional facilities for aorial defence at Christchurch wore costing £500,000. The Blenhoim flying iield had been iinished and the hangars were to bo built. That aerodrome, along with others, was part of a plan for decentralisation of defence, which was a verynecessary thing. All the construction of aerodromes was boing carried out by the Public Works Department with mechanised plant and man-power aud they were being built faster thau anywhere else in the world. Mr. (Semple added that in addition to the building of defence aerodromes, an emergency landing ground for civil aviation was to be constructed at Paraparaumu, to be commenced and linished this winter.