DEFENCE FORCES

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXI, 20 October 1937, Page 6

DEFENCE FORCES

ARMY BOARD TO BE SET UP PROVISION FOR SECRETARY OF AIR BILLS TO BE TABLED TO-DAY [From Our Own Parliamentary Reporter] WELLINGTON. This Day. Three Bills dealing with the administration of (he defence forces of New Zealand are likely to make an appearance in the House of Representatives to-day. They are the Army Board, the Air Force Bill and the Air Department Bill. The Army Board Bill provides for the setting up of an Army Board with the Minister of Defence as president, and not more than three other members of the land forces to be appointed by the Governor-General. Provision is also made for the appointment of an Army Secretary, who will be a civilian, and it is understood that this' position will be filled by Mr H. Turner, the present Under-Secretary for Defence, whose duties will deal solely with administration. Tlie functions of the Army Board will correspond in relation to the land forces with those of tlie Naval Board in relation to tlie naval forces, and with those of the Air Board in relation to air forces.

The Air Department Bill establishes a department and sets out its functions. It will incorporate control of tire Defence Air Force and civil aviation. The Bill provides for a Secretary of Air and a Controller of Civil Aviation, and it is understood that Wing-Commander T. M. Wilkes is to be confirmed in the latter position The Air Department has been in existence since the commencement of the present financial year, and the Bill will authorise and validate payments made since then

The Air Force Bill provides for the establishment o.f an air board composed of the Minister of Defence as president, three other members of the Air Force and the Air Secretary. It gives the board power to raise and maintain an air force, consisting of a regular Air Force, an Air Force Reserve, and a Territorial Air Force, and sets out the constitution of each of these forces.