AERO CLUBS ARE DOING GOOD JOB, SAYS CIVIL AVIATION MINISTER

Wanganui Chronicle, 22 July 1950, Page 4

AERO CLUBS ARE DOING GOOD JOB, SAYS CIVIL AVIATION MINISTER

WELLINGTON, Yesterday (PA).— “I am not a great enthusiast about flying myself. I like to keep one foot on the ground,’ ’the Minister of Civil Aviation, the Hon. W. S. Goosman, told today's annual meeting of the Royal New Zealand Aero Club. “I haven't had time to study all mj portfolios as I would like to have done and civil aviation is one I know leas, about,” the Minister said. He realised that flying had to be assisted and encouraged in every way, and he would get the aero clubs as much assistance as Cabinet would permit.

“I look on aero clubs as a fine form of private enterprise. The Minister of defence (Mr. McDonald) and myself appreciate the work you are doing in training pilots. Unfortunately this world always seems menaced by wars. It was not so bad 40 or 50 years ago, but now it seems to be getting worse and worse. While there are wars flying will play a very great part in them, and aeroclubs will play a very great part in training pilots.” Recalling that aero clubs had flown 31,000 hours in J, Mr. Goosman said: “I am not able to say what the Government will be prepared to do for you, but you are doing a national job instilling a liking for flying into our young people.”