A FLYING EXPERT

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 150, 20 March 1919, Page 6

A FLYING EXPERT

LIEUTENANT-COLONEL A. BETTINGTON.

Lieutenaut-Colonel A. . Bettington, R.F.C., who lias reached _ Wellington aboard the transport Athenic, has como to New Zealand on engagement to advise the Government on matters connected with aviation. He was selected by the War Office at the request of the New Zealand Defence Department. Lieuten-ant-Colonel Bettington is. an officer of wide experience in aviation, and it is expected that he will remain in New Zealand for eomo months and prepare some important reports. Tlio Minister of Defence (Sir James Allen) stated yesterday that tho 'primary purpose of Lieutenant-Colonel Bettiir'ton's visit was to advice on the defence aspects of aviation. The aeroplane was bound to play a part in tlio defence armaments of tlio Dominion m tho future, and it. was important that tho New Zealand Government should have expert advice before making any move in such a matter. Many New Zealanders had served with the R.F.C. during tho war, and their training and experience would doubtless be used to 6ome extent in the future. Tho Minister added that the visiting officer would probably report also on tlio commercial and poistal aspects of avinlinin relation to New Zealand. Tlio Government had already secured tlio assont of Parliament to some legislation designed to provide the necessary control of aviation as far as this Dominion was concerned, but ho anticipated that additional legislation .vould bo found to be required.