PLAN FOR RAPID EXPANSION

Southland Times, Issue 23946, 12 October 1939, Page 6

PLAN FOR RAPID EXPANSION

Strength Of Empire

Air Forces

ADVANCED TRAINING OF PILOTS PROPOSAL FOR SCHOOLS IN CANADA (United Press Association) WELLINGTON, October 11. A proposal by which it is hoped to achieve Empire air forces of overwhelming strength was revealed today by the acting Prime Minister (the Hon. P. Fraser). The United Kingdom Government, he said, had recently put forward for consideration by the Governments in Canada, Australia and New Zealand the outline of arrangements for the rapid expansion on a co-operative basis of training for pilots, observers and air gunners required first for the considerable enlargement, and then for the maintenance on the enlarged basis of the air forces of the respective countries. This would combine with the expansion of production of aircraft in the Dominions themselves. The Dominion Governments concerned, said Mr Fraser, had signified their agreement in principle, and their representatives, with those of the United Kingdom, were soon to meet in Canada to discuss technical details. The New Zealand Government would be represented at this conference. “The proposal is that training schools will be established and maintained in each of these Dominions,” said Mr Fraser. “The more comprehensive and technical facilities required for advanced training, apart from those available and to be made available in tire United Kingdom, will, in the main, be concentrated in Canada. The personnel from elementary training schools in Australia and New Zealand, as well as a substantial proportion of the young -men passing out of similar establishments in the United Kingdom, will proceed to Canada to receive there, with similar personnel from schools- in Canada, the advanced training which will fit them for service in the line. The young meh so trained will, join either the air force squadrons maintained by the Dominions, or the Royal Air Force. “As a result of this proposal, it is expected that the many facilities and great natural advantages for training pilots and other personnel and for the production of aircraft which the Dominions offer in areas comparatively free from any risk of enemy interference will be utilized to the fullest extent and to the best advantage. ACTION IN SOUTH AFRICA “Although for various reasons the Government of the Union of South Africa does not consider this scheme of air training applicable to the circumstances of the Union and although it considers that its air force personnel should receive full training at home the Union authorities intend to make their training as complete as possible and expand the air force to the fullest extent of their resources,” said Mr Fraser. “As the plan develops the number of training schools in the British Commonwealth, already large, will be greatly and rapidly increased and it is expected to achieve an enlarged output of first-line pilots, observers and air-gunners which, combined with the United Kingdom’s own effort, will ensure that greatly increased requirements in trained personnel are fully met. The aim in short is to achieve by co-operative effort Empire air forces of overwhelming strength.” Mr Fraser added that this proposal would be in addition to the arrangements already made for the training of pilots in New Zealand, although some adjustments might be required in the degree of training in some instances. Nevertheless, ample numbers would be fully trained in New Zealand for the Dominion’s own purposes. TRAINING ARRANGEMENTS IN CANADA OTTAWA, October 11. It is expected that the Australian and New Zealand airmen will train with the West Canadians at new schools in western Canada. The prairie provinces offer ideal conditions.

East Canadians and Englishmen will be centred near Toronto and at new schools in Ontario.

It is believed that if the embargo is lifted, the bulk of the equipment will be purchased from the United States.

N.Z. PILOT KILLED IN ACCIDENT (Special to The Times) AUCKLAND, October, 11.

Naws has been received of the death while serving with the Royal Air Force in England of Pilot Officer Brian Harker, son of the Mayor of Wairoa, Mr H. L. Harker. Details about how Pilot Officer Harker met his death are not available. The news was conveyed to Mr Harker in a cablegram from the Air Ministry, which stated that his son had been killed in an aircraft accident.

Pilot Officer Harker was 21 years of age and left for England nearly two years ago to take up a short service commission with the Royal Air Force. He was educated at St. Patrick’s College, Sil verstream, and before leaving for England was a member of the office staff of Swifts (New Zealand) company, Ltd., Wairoa.