AVIATION IN NEW ZEALAND.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20706, 2 May 1929, Page 6

AVIATION IN NEW ZEALAND.

THE GOVERNMENTS POLICY. PROVISION FOR HOME DEFENCE. (Per United Press Association.) WELLINGTON, May 1. A preliminary announcement with respect to the Government’s aviation policy was made by the Minister of Defence (Mr T. M. Wilford) to-day. In answer to an inquiry as to what was the attitude of the Government towards the aero clubs of New Zealand, the Minister said:— " When the policy of the Government is settled it will be announced by the Prime Minister, but before it is announced it will be my duty to see how many clubs are essential and what are their requirements. It is useless for any set of enthusiasts starting out to run an aero club unless they can see a certain £3OOO a year in hand for the running of the club. Nc club can be run under that figure,—that is, after it has the ground, the hangars, and the machines.” The Minister added that since his assumption of the portfolio of Defence he had given a series of lecturettes on aviation at various places from Auckland to Bluff. “To every body of men interested that I have approached,” Mr Wilford said, “ I have submitted a question for their earnest and considered thought. It is this: if war were declared to-morrow our cruisers would go to the Near East navai base and be under :he one naval command Our defence would consist of guns in fixed positions and land forces. U one armed merchantman belonging to the enemy arrived 150 miles off this coast with a mother ship carrying 10 0i,12 aeroplanes equipped with gas and bombs for the destruction of our cities, what is our defence ? ”