WAIKATO AERO CLUB

Southland Times, Issue 23380, 11 December 1937, Page 21

WAIKATO AERO CLUB

NO RECOGNITION BY STATE GOVERNMENT ACCUSED OF UNFAIRNESS (United Press Association) HAMILTON, December 10., Strong criticism of the Government’s action in refusing -to recognize the Waikato Aero Club was expressed at a public meeting in Hamilton last evening when the following motion was carried unanimously: “That this meeting expresses full confidence in the committee of the Waikato Aero Club and pledges its active support and that the attitude of the Minister of Defence (the Hon. F. Jones), as outlined in the report presented, was unjust and unfair and was strongly resented as a slight on the Waikato district. This meeting is of opinion that, while the Government recognizes clubs in other districts, it demands at least equal treatment for Waikato.” . It was the contention of the chairman, Mr C. B. Smith, that the Minister of Defence had treated the application in the most unfair manner, as no application made had so much merit. His actions were an insult to the Waikato and to the pioneering work the club had done in aviation. Mr Smith said there were 11 recognized aero clubs in the Dominion. Originally there were eight and the Government had said that it would not have any more but had not abided by that. Clubs were formed and, applying for recogition from time to time, were duly recognized. The Minister who had power to do so stated that he would not recognize a club in the Waikato. This was a serious blow as without Government recognition the Waikato Aero Club could not belong to the New Zealand Aero Club and thus could not share in any assistance the Government had to offer.