“ITCH FOR BATTLE.”

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 364, 4 March 1932, Page 1

“ITCH FOR BATTLE.”

Canadian Flyers’ Offer to Chinese. OTTAWA, February 26. The offer of members of the Royal Canadian Air Force, who are about to be disbanded, to provide two complete aerial fighting units for the Chinese Army, led to some embarrassing questions in the Canadian Parliament. The question was raised *by Colonel Ralston, who was Minister of Militia in the late Liberal Government. It appeared that the airmen transmitted their offer to the Chinese Con-sul-General at Ottawa, while they were still members of the Canadian service and before they got their “ walking papers.” Parliament, on a vote, upheld MiSpeaker in refusing to allow a prolonged discussion on this ticklish subject, while the Prime Minister. Mr R. B. Bennett, explained that the Canadian Commissioner at Shanghai had cabled Ottawa: “ There is absolutely no chance of enlisting Canadian airmen.” Mr Bennett finall}' advised his Liberal critics to apply to The Hague tribunal for a ruling on the question. The offer was first prompted when the airmen read the story of Kingsford Smith be : ng offered a big job directing China’s air force. They got an itch for battle, and the next development came in the announcement by the Canadian Government disbanding most of the Air Force for reasons of economy.