GIFT AEROPLANE

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2780, 26 May 1916, Page 4

GIFT AEROPLANE

HON. A. 11. MYElfc'S SUGGESTION. In a statement last niglit regarding the Union Company's gift, of an .aeroplane to the Imperial Government, the Hon. Mr. Myers, president of the Overseas Club in New Zealand, expressed gratification at the patriotic offer of the company, and drew attention to the fact that Poverty Bay had led the way in the Dominion by. contributing an . aeroplane to our air fleet. Mr. Myers stated that as soon as the Union Company notified its intention of making tho gift, lie suggested to the general manager of the company that the gift should ho made through the Overseas Club' in London, through the medium of which 62 aeroplanes had already been presented by overseas Dominions to tho Roy ill laying Corps, and also that the gift be accompanied by a request that a New Zealandcr should be placed in charge of it. The company had left the decision to the Prime Minister, who had approved of both suggestions. Mr. Myers also pointed out that Auckland was raising the cost of an aeroplane to bo presented to the Imperial aircraft flotilla". He ex-_ pressed the opinion that each important town in the Dominion should defray the cost of a gift aeroplane. When the war ended these taachines could.be brought back to. the Dominion, manned by one or more New Zealandere, and thus give a great impetus here to what was likely to prove one of the most important developments of the future. He thought it would be very fitting that Lieutonant Brandon should be placed in charge of a machine to bo presented by Wellington. "Whereas G2 machines had heen presented by tho overseas Dominions, New Zealand had contributed only two of them. ' •