THE AIR FORCE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23328, 21 October 1937, Page 9

THE AIR FORCE

MILITARY AND CIVIL PROPOSED LEGISLATION SPECIAL DEPARTMENT CREATED \ (From Our Parliamentary Reporter) WELLINGTON, Oct. 20. Full legal status is given to the Royal New Zealand Air Force under the terms of the Air Force Bill which was introduced in the House of Representatives to-day by Gover-nor-General’s Message. A second measure, the Air Department Bill, which was also introduced to-day, provides for the establishment of a department of State to control both military and civil aviation. The Bill gives power for the raising and maintenance of an Air Force along the lines which are being followed at present. The general scheme of organisation provides for a regular Air Force, an Air Force Reserve, and a Territorial Air Force, all three branches of the service being constituted in accordance with the customary procedure. Certain members of the defence forces who are at present serving with the Air Force in the Dominion are deemed to be transferred. The practice by which minors may enlist in the Air Force is regulated. Provision is also contained in the Bill for the establishment of an Air Board which will be charged with the administration of the Air Force, and which will also act in an advisory capacity with regard to civil aviation and its co-ordination with measures of defence. The board will consist of the Minister of Defence as president, three officers of any of his Majesty’s Air Forces appointed by the Governor-General and holding office during his pleasure, and an Air Secretary, who is to be appointed. Under the Bill the controller of Civil Aviation in the Dominion is also to be associated with the board, and is to be regarded as a member.

The Bill provides for the payment of gratuities and of pensions in the event of the death or disablement of members of the Air Force, but it is expressly stated that the Workers Compensation Act will not apply when members of the Air Force are involved in accidents arising out of their employment. The usual powers for the maintenance of discipline and the making of regulations are contained in the Bill.

The measure establishing an Air Department is to have retrospective application, dating from April 1 of this year. The department will be in charge of the administration of the Air Navigation Act and the Air Force Act after the latter becomes law.

The Air Secretary, to be appointed under the Air Force Bill, will be the chief administrative officer of the department, which will have the duty of advising the Government on all matters affecting aviation.

The appointment of a Controller of Civil Aviation is legalised. The expenses already incurred in the administration of the Air Force during the current financial year are validated.

A further provision is that the department has to submit an annual report to Parliament. Referring to the Air Force Bill on its introduction, the Minister of Defence (Mr F. Jones) said it had been framed as the result of a report submitted to the Government by Group Captain the Hon. R. A. Cochrane. It provided for an Air Board, but there would 'be no separate Air Ministry. The Air Department Bill, the Minister continued, gave statutory authority to set up a special department of State to control the Air Force and also civil aviation. The Air Secretary would be the administrative head. There was no board as far as civil aviation was concerned, although there would be a Controller of Civil Aviation under the Air Department. The Bills were read a first time