AIR DEFENCE

Evening Post, Volume CXVI, Issue 77, 28 September 1933, Page 6

AIR DEFENCE

DOMINION'S NEED

SUGGESTED AERODROME

The establishment of an air force for defensive purposes was urged in the Legislative Council yesterday afternoon by the Hon. M. Fagan, who also advocated the construction of an aerodrome at tlio mouth of the Waiwhetu Stream, near Petone.

Mr. Fagansaid that the world was in a disturbed state at the present time, and jS'ow Zealand had to realise that the base of her defence was in ' England, 12,000 miles away. Thus it might be wiso for the Dominion to provide herself with more adequate protection. The only method of defence worth while was an air force, and at the mouth of the Waiwhetu Stream there was amplo room for the construction of an aerodrome. The land could be reclaimed and it would porvide one- of the finest aerodromes in the Dominion. The work would provide employment for a large number of men. The Minister of Education (the Hon. E. Masters): Isn't it too exposed? Mr. Pagan said that ho had discussed, the scheme- with men who should know and had been assured that the area was as suitable as »ny other in the Wellington district. The job of constructing tho aerodrome would pro-

vide work for every married man in the Unit Valley,- and if the Defence Department co-operated with the Unemployment Board, and standard rates of wages were pjiidfor five and a half days per week, it would put now life into the people.