DOMINION DEFENCE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22433, 1 June 1936, Page 11

DOMINION DEFENCE

{STRENGTH IN THE AIR IMPORTANCE OF SERVICE [bt telegraph—special reporter] WELLINGTON, Saturday Ari indication that the first arm of defence for New Zealand would probably be the air service was given by the Leader of the legislative Council, H'on. M. Fagan, replying to the debate iu the Council on the Transport Licencing Amendment Bill.

Mr. Fagan s*id that the Government had already received an application for a subsidy for a mail service between Auckland and Dunedin, but had considered that the Government itself could operate the service on a sum equal to two-thirds of the subsidy asked, for the State was building aerodromes all over the Dominion and ao one would-expect State funds to go into aerodromes for private enterprise. Mr. Fagan said that it would probably be determined that the ct ief arm of defence for New Zealand wojild have to be in the air, a defence that was within reach of the people and would be serviceable in defending the country.- ■ •? "When that decision is made,, and. I believe that it will be made," he said, "there will have to be complete coordination between civil and defence aviation and so that the two services can be completely co-ordinated the State will haTe to handle them; 'Some day the State may be compelled to take over all air services." . ,