FUTURE OF AVIATION

Wanganui Chronicle, 25 February 1947, Page 4

FUTURE OF AVIATION

MINISTERS UNEXPECTED VISITORS TO PAGEANT *

(P.A.) New Plymouth, Feb. 23. "It is my hope and belief that the Government will do all it can to encourage the good work which aero clubs are doing in New Zealand," declared the Minister of Finance, Mr. Nash, at the official opening of the North Island Air Pageant at New Plymouth airport on Saturday afternoon. He paid a tribute to the efforts ot the New Plymouth Aero Club, mentioning in particular the work of the president, Mr. H. W. L. Lightband.

Mr. Nash and the Minister of Industries, Mr. Sullivan, were unexpected visitors to the pageant, landing in the middle of the afternoon. They were en route from Wellington to Auckland where Mr. Nash will depart on the first stage of his journey to the United States. His aircraft landed at New Plymouth for refuelling.

The Ministers arrived just in time to be unofficial guests of the club at the opening ceremony and each briefly addressed the public. Mr. Nash spoke of the rapid development in aeronatics in the last few years. This was mentioned also bv Mr. Sullivan, who said that the United States were a little ahead of the British Empire in aviation development. That was probably recause the United Kingdom had primarily concerned herself with building military machines during the war while America was free to. concentrate on heavy transports. but England was quickly getting into her stride again and would soon catch up.