AIR-MARSHAL ARRIVES.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 226, 24 September 1928, Page 8

AIR-MARSHAL ARRIVES.

SIR JOHN SALMOND’S VISIT. DOMINION’S FUTURE POLICY. TO CONFER WITH GOVERNMENT. A distinguished visitor to the Dominion, who arrived by the Aorangi this morning, is Air-Marshal Sir John Maitland Salmond, K.C.8., C.M.G., C.V.0., D. 5.0., air officer Commanding-in-Chief Air Defence of Great Britain. He has been principal air A.D.C. to the King since 1925 when he took up his present appointment. Sir John, who leaves for the South to-night to confer with the is accompanied by Squadron-Leader R. M. Drummond, D. 5.0., 0.8. E., M.C., and Flight-Lieut. A. P. Ledger, M.B.E. The Air-Marshal was met on board by Ma jor T. AL Wilkes, director of Air Services, and Major L. Al. Isitt, officer commanding the Hobsonville Air Base. Later on an official call was made by Major-General R. Young, general officer commanding the New Zealand Forces.

Sir John Salmond, who is forty-seven years of age, has had a distinguished career. Entering the Army in 1901 he was promoted captain in 1910 and Brigade-Alajor four years later; Alajor, and then Lieutenant-Colonel in 1916, Colonel 1917, Alajor-General in 191 S, and Air-Alarshal in 1923. He joined the Royal Flying Corps in 1912. In 1917 he was Director-General of Aeronautics with a seat on the Army Council. From 1920 to 1022 he commanded the Inland Area. Sir John served in the South African War from 1901-2, and received the Queen’s Aledal with three claps,s and throughout the Great War, being mentioned in dispatches five times. He received the D.S.O. and many foreign decorations for his services. The Air Chief visited the Commonwealth in 1918 to advise the Government on air defence generally, and on the training and equipment of’the Royal Australian Air Force.

The future policy of New Zealand, as far as air defences are concerned, will no doubt be the result of the visit of Sir John, who will spend a month in New Zealand on a general survey of the position.