BETTER AIR FORCE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20086, 25 October 1928, Page 12

BETTER AIR FORCE.

DOMINION DEVELOPMENT. REDUCING COST OF ARMY. SAVING TO AID AVIATION. LAND AND SEA MACHINES. f IJY TEI.KGKA I'll. —OWN COKJIKSI'ONUtXT.] DAItGAVILLE, Wednesday. A hint of a slight revision of the territorial defence scheme, to provide more money for the air service was given by the Prime Minister, Mr. Contos, in his speech here this evening. Mr. Coales said ho had received a report from Sir John Salmond, Commander-in-Chief of tho Air Defences of Britain, and there was no doubt the air service would have to bo developed. It, was thought the costs of the land forces could be revised a little and the amounts saved there passed on to the air force. For instance, there was the cost of coast defence guns, and it was thought better service could, perhaps, be given by bombing aircraft, land machines and sea machines. The Prime Minister said he thought this could bo done with perfect safely, as all that was wanted from the territorial force was a body of men who could bo so equipped and trained that New Zealand would be able to take her part with credit in the defence of tho Empiie. It was not desired that the boys should be given military thoughts, but only that they fihould know how to keep their powder dry, and ho worthy of tho stock from which they came. (Applause.)