DOMINION’S NAVY AIR ARM

Taranaki Daily News, 9 June 1932, Page 4

DOMINION’S NAVY AIR ARM

LEAGUE SUGGESTS ADDITIONS ministers reply to deputation NO CONSIDERABLE CURTAILMENT necessity to KEEP down costs By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wallington, Last Night. More adequate provision for the fleet’s air arm branch of the Air Force wits suggested by a deputation from the Navy League which to-day submitted to the Prime Minister (the Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbes) remits from a conference of the New Zealand branch of the league. The Dominion secretary (Mr. R. Darroeh) said the league suggested: (1) Two large flying-boata ehould be provided, or failing this that additional Fairey 111. F planes should be obtained. One is urgently necessary as a standby, for the existing machine. (2) The workshops of the base should be equipped. (3) Additional personnel should be enlisted. (4) Adequate service wireless equipment should be provided in place of the extemporised equipment in use at present. Replying, the Prime Minister said the matter was governed by the necessity of keeping down the expenditure of the country to the lowest limits. The league’s recommendations were deserving of every consideration. The Minister of Defence (the Hon. J. G. Cobbe) pointed out that there had been no considerable curtailment in expenditure on the navy so far as the air arm was concerned; in fact the navy expenditure this year would be about twice what would be expended on the land forces. The department had in contemplation the' purchase of additional machines but it was all a matter of finance. He had visited Devonport last week in company with the commodore and had found things in a-most satisfactory state, . .