DEFENCE OF N.Z.
ADEQUATE AIR STRENGTH CLAIMED BY HON. F. JONES
That adequate provision exists for air defence of New Zealand should occasion arise, and that the operational strength of the Royal New Zealand Air Force will be considerably increased this year, is affirmed by the Minister of Defence, Hon. F. Jones, in a statement laid before Parliament. After dealing with orders jjlaced in Great Britain, the United States and New Zealand for various classes of training aircraft, the Minister states that of 140 Airspeed Oxford twin-engined trainers to be delivered by October next, 30 have been speciallj r modified for operational use so that they can be used as bombing aircraft in case of emergency. Ten De liavilland aircraft, taken over from civil firms, are being modified for military purposes, in addition to their use for training Detailing the changes made in the organisation of the air force since the outbreak of war, including the diversion of the Wellington bombers on order, to the United Kingdom Government, the Minister says that the Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch coastal defence squadrons have been concentrated at Whenuapai to form one mobile squadron which can be re-distribut-ed to other centres as circumstances demand. Plans for the immediate re-dis-tribution of these units, and for air force co-operation with the other services in the defence of New Zealand, have been prepared and are kept up to date in the light of chang ing circumstances. "There is in this country to-day sufficient aircraft and bombs available to deal with any anticipated scale of attack," the statement adds. "Additional aircraft will arrive in the Dominion under the Empire air training plan, and a large number of these aircraft will be of considerable use for the defence of the country should the necessity arise. Furthermore, the training scheme ensures that there will be a largo number of trained personnel available in the Dominion for operational duties in an emergency."
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https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/BPB19400617.2.22
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Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 2, Issue 174, 17 June 1940, Page 6
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321DEFENCE OF N.Z. Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 2, Issue 174, 17 June 1940, Page 6
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