AMERICAN DEFENCE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 19140, 5 October 1925, Page 9

AMERICAN DEFENCE.

AIRCRAFT INVESTIGATION.

FLYING OFFICER'S EVIDENCE

A. and N.Z. WASHINGTON. Oct. 2. Commander Rogers, who was prominent, in the recent attempted flight from Pati Francisco to Eawaii, appeared before the aircraft inquiry to-day. He absolved the Navy Department, f.om all blame for the failure of his flight, which he attributed to unfavourable wind and a lower petrol mileage than was estimated.

Ho opposed unconditionally Colonel W. Mitchell's unified air proposal and the creation of a separate air corps. He recommended the establishment of a Secretary for National Defence to control the Army, Navy and supplies divisions to be administered by three sub-secre-taries. »

Commander Rodgers said the aviation problem could not be solved without considering the entire system of national defence. It bad becomes so complicated that it might die from its own complications unless it were treated by highly-skilled physicians who were not prejudiced in favour of a particular branch. The history of aviation showed that the aeroplane within the last few years had become an intergral part of a ship. It was easy to imagine that within a short time they would find it was the most important weapon the Navy had to wield. In spite of his defence of the Navy Department Commander Rodgers insisted that vital changes in it were necessary. He recommended a separate aviation promotion list, an aviation budget and strong air development. He attacked the activities of the various navy boards, saying they confined their work to talk. " I wore out six pairs of trousers serving on one of these boards," said witness. " All we did was to talk and then nothing came.of our talk." He advocated the maintenance of the Hawaiian fortifications and an increase in the air forces. There was something vitally wrong with the Navy Department. However it was not a matter relating to recent accidents or personal efficiency of any officer of the department. The Navy was not organised on the scientific principles which the introduction of the aeroplane made absolutely necessary. Until real organisation was established, aircraft would not work at its maximum efficiency.