CENTENARY AIR RACE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXVI, 10 April 1934, Page 6

CENTENARY AIR RACE

NEW ZEALAND PARTICIPATION PROPOSALS NOT ENDORSED (By Telegraph—Press Association) BLENHEIM, 9th April. Mr G. M. Spence, president of the New Zealand Aero Club, stated tonight that replies had now been received from the majority of aero clubs with reference to their attitude towards proposals submitted by the Auckland and Canterbury clubs |)n connection with participation by New Zealand in the Centenary Air Pace and a trans-Tasman race on its completion. The Auckland club proposed that a suitable aeroplane be purchased by and entered by New Zealand with New Zealand pilots in the race and servicing the machine, to be raised by public subscription with possible assistance of a Government subsidy. The Canterbury proposal was that a fund should be raised by similar means for the purpose of offering prizes for a cross-Tasman race with a view to inducing competitors in the Centenary Race to come on to New Zealand and make a goodwill tour of the Dominion. The majority of clubs have, voted against both proposals, principally on the grounds that if such a sum as would he required could be raised it could be quit to better use in developing tlie practical side_ of aviation in New Zealand and that the advertising value of the schemes proposed would not be sufficient to warrant the expenditure of so large an amount for so little permanent result. The New Zealand Aero C'hib, as representative of the individual clubs, will not therefore adopt either proposal.