TASK IN DOMINION

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23780, 7 October 1940, Page 6

TASK IN DOMINION

PLEASED AT PKOSPECT PROBLEMS OF DEFENCE OPPORTUNITY FOR STUDY (Received October 6, 5.30 p.m.) LONDON, Oct. G In a statement to the United Press Association, Sir Cyril Newall said: — "Although I am sorry to leave my present post, I am tremendously honoured and pleased, particularly as my wife and I have always been interested in New Zealand and hoped for an opportunity of visiting it. "As for tho job here, I am always in favour of changes, especially when I have a successor like Sir Charles Portal, who is a first-rate fellow.

"I was greatly touched to receive a message of congratulations and greetings from the Prime Minister of New Zealand, the JH. Hon. P. Fraser, and also one from tho Air Force headquarters at Wellington. "I ain taking to New Zealand my two daughters, aged 14 and 13 years, and my son, aged 10. They are delighted at the prospect. I am looking forward to meeting the people who are making such a noble contribution to the defeat of the enemy. "1 am also eager for a close association with the defence forces, particularly tho Air Force. I desire to study defence problems at first hand, although my work on the Chiefs of Staffs Committee has given me an insight into the defence of the Empire as a whole. "I have never before been further east than Calcutta, although once I crossed the equator in a motor-car and several times by air."

Fishing—particularly fly - fishing—is Sir Cyril Newall's principal hobby. He has never tried big-game fishing, hut hopes to learn the art in New Zealand. He is intensely interested in music and painting. In the course of a discussion with the United Press representative on the general war situation Sir Cyril revealed his clear intelligence and profound knowledge of the problems of aerial warfare which have enabled him to outlast three Chiefs of the Imperial General Staff and two First Sea Lords.

NEW AIR FORCE HEAD SIR CHARLES PORTAL MANY IMPORTANT POSTS HELD (Received October 6, 5.35 p.m.) LONDON, Oct. 6 Air-Marshal Sir Charles Frederick Portal, who succeeds Marshal of the Royal Air Force Sir Cyril Newall as Chief of the Air Staff, is in turn succeeded by Air-Marshal Sir Richard Peirse, C.8., D.5.0., A.F.C., as Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Bomber Command. Air-Marshal Sir Qharles Portal, who has been Chief of the Bomber Command, was born in 1893 and educated at Winchester and Christ Church, Oxford. He served throughout the Great War, being awarded the D.S.O. and bar and the M.C. He commanded the British forces at Aden in 1934-35. and in 1936-37 was an instructor at the Imperial Defence College. From 1937 to 1938 he was Director of Organisation at the Air Ministry, and in 1939 was made Air Member for Personnel 011 the Air Council. In the latter year lie was created C.8.. and received the K.C.B. in the first Birthday Honours list of the war. Air-Marshal Sir Richard Peirse, who was born in 1592. has been DeputyChief of the Air Staff since 10H7. He is a sou of Admiral Sir Richard Peirse and served throughout the Great War. From 1930 to 1933 he was DeputyDirector of Operations and Intelligence at the Air Ministry, and from 1933 to 19.% was Air Officer Commanding: the British Forces in Palestine and Transjordan.