AIR DEFENCE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXII, 26 November 1938, Page 9

AIR DEFENCE

i PROGRESS OF NEW ZEALAND’S PROGRAMME BUILDING UP OF EFFECTIVE FORCE COMMENT BY MINISTER , tUnited Press Association! DUNEDIN. 25th November The progrew* of New Zealand's ’ air defence programme was com--1 mented on generally by the Minis--1 ter of Defence, the Hon. F. Jones, in an interview to-day. ll* outlined ? the phases of activity being undertaken by the Air Department, and I emphasised that everything possible wafe being done to equip New Zea- ‘ land with an effective air fdtet in the event of an emergency. 1 Mr Jones said it was by no means certain yet When a territorial .squadron Of the ROyal New Zealand Air Force Would be established in Duncdttl. though it was proposed to have ! one squadron in each of the four ; centres. Tho camp of the Wellington squadron at present being held in

I Blenheim was an outstanding success, I and it was hoped that soon as posj sible squadrons would be in active j operation throughout New Zealand I "One difficulty with which we have jto contend in Dunedin, as in other ; cities, is that of finding suitable accommodation for the squadron.” the Minister said ‘Then there is also the question of finding the requisite number of pilots and aircraftsmen, and since there are eight or nine alrcraft- . men to one pilot, it will be seen that • the formation of a squadron of this . kind eahnot be accomplished in a few ■ days. i “We are also fated with the prob- ' lem of finding a hangar site at Taferi t aerodrome This will have to be con- ' sidcred in conjunction with the pro- • posal for the extension of tho aero- • drome, which will involve the closing for the entire length of the aerodrome of the east-west road running alongside of it. and the taking of at least 50 acres on the opposite de of the I road.” The aerodrome was rather vmail now j considering the larger types of planes i coming into use. Mr Jones said, but i when it was extended and equipped with the special direction-finding apparatus which had been ordered it would be vastly unproved Since it ( was essential that pilots trained in New Zealand should have experience of the heavier types of planes it was necessary that aerodromes should be 1 sufficiently large to enable them to manoeuvre safely Mr Jones stated that of the 290 additional airrraft ordered f rntn England 'it was expected that slightly more 1 than 100 would be delivered in New j Zealand within the next year or so. These were seeond-hand machines, but were perfectly atisfaciory for training, and in the event of any emergency they would provide the Dominion with an air force till more modern machines i could be obtained. FIRST TYPES TO COME Among the first types to arrive in l New Zealand would be Fair ty Gordons ; and more Vickers Vjldebeegtb. which j would bo purchased at very pinch beJ low the oroginal cost on similar terms |to those on which tho 29 Blackburn | Baffins were secured earlier, j “VVc arc still hopeful that the first j bf (he 30 Vickers Wellington bombers we have ordered will be delivered about the end of next year.” the Minister sSid. “It is claimed that these arc* faster machines and possess a longer range than the Vickers Wdlcs- | leys, which recently made the reeordbreaking long-distance fight from Isjmalia (Egypt* to Darwin, so that bv • the time the full complement of 30 j planes is here our air force should be well equipped with bombers They will , be flown from England to New Zealand Iby Dominion airmen who are to be 1 Eflnt to Great Britain for special training.” , The Minister said that 5000 men I wanted for the special air tore® re- • serve had been signed up for service j in any emergency but the Air Depart- • ment was anxious to have more men, such as motor mechanics and fitters and turners, tnd the lists were still being kept open In addition, arrangements were Leing made with the Railways Department for the establishment of instructional schools in connection with the worshops in Auckland. Wellington. Christchurch and Dunedin Steps would be taken as soon as possible to construct suftabl • buildings at the four workshops where apprentices nearing the end of their terms ; would receive about five mouths’ Instruction on the repair anl maintenance of aircraft engines and air frames. Instructors and equipment ' would be provided by (be air force and the objective would be to turn out 100 ! young men a year trained as aircraft ground engineers to form a civil reserve essential to meet the alt force requirements in time of war