CIVIL AVIATION

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21874, 9 August 1934, Page 10

CIVIL AVIATION

ASSISTANCE FROM STATE HIGHER VOTE THIS YEAR PURCHASING NEW MACHINES EMERGENCY LANDING GROUNDS [BX TELE3RAPH —SPECIAL REPORTER] WELLINGTON, Wednesday Civil aviation is to be assisted by the Government this year more than " in the past. The Minister of Finance, the lit. Hon. J. G. Coates, and the Minister of Defence, the Hon. J. G. Cobbe, indicated to-day to a deputation representing New Zealand aero clubs that there would be a substantial increase in the vote for civil aviation, but, although they could as yet give no details of the proposals, they wero desirous of showing that the Government wished to assist 'clubs to carry on.

It is understood that the grant this year will apply mainly to the purchase of new machines, the construction of emergency landing grounds and the training of pilots. A promise that the Government would consider the question of remitting the £1 Is fee charged to pilots on examination was given by AT r. Coates. The forecast of the Government policy was well received by the deputation, but several differences of opinion were expressed as to sonre of the proposals. In view of the discussion, it was decided to confer with the commissioner of transport, Mr. J. S. Hunter, the chairman of the Transport Co-ordination Bpard, Sir Stephen Allen, and other departmental officers.

Replying to the general requests of the deputation, the Ministers indicated* that the proposal to separata control of civil aviation from military headquarters would be impracticable, and an assurance was given by General W. L. H. Sinclair Burgess, general officer commanding the New Zealand Forces, that civil aviation would not suffer in any way from its associations with the military side, which was particularly anxious to assist aero clubs in the training of man-power and the provision of emergency landing grounds. Mr. Coates said that one of tho points to be considered at the afternoon's conference would be the request for the exemption of aero clubs from the provisions of the Transport Licensing (Commercial Aviation) Bill. The passage of the bill was essential to the development of commercial aviation in New Zealand, but he said, the conference could consider what sort of' regulations would be necessary and satisfactory to aero clubs.