AIR DEFENCE OF DOMINION

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 38, 1 March 1937, Page 6

AIR DEFENCE OF DOMINION

-Press Association.)

Emergency 'Dromes Likely Every 50 Miles FULL DETAILS S00N

(By Telegraph-

BLENHEIM, This Day. As the result of a report by WingOommander E. A. Coehrane, who was recently engaged by the New Zealand Government to investigate matters affecting air defence, propoaals will shortly be brought down regarding th© reorganisation and training^of pilota and the control of aerodromes. This statement was made by the Minister of Defence, the Hon. F. Jones, who visited Blenheim at the week-end. Mr Jones added that the first step would be the holding of a conference at Wellington to-day between himself and representa- " tives of aero clubs. The Minister . said that the Government had been greatly impressed with the reports already presented by WingCommander Coehrane and, during the extended period of his stay in New Zealand— two years instead of the fort* night originally arranged with tha British Air Ministry — he would conduct a close investigation into the questiou of defence aerodromes and report on the personnel of the pilot staffs and further equipment, involving new aeroplanes, for the Air Force. Full details of the first part of Commander Coehrane 's report would probably be available for announcement within a fortnight, the Minister said. In his opinion, after reading some of the reports already given by Coinmander Coehrane, there was need for xeorganisafion of the air defence of New Zealand, partieularly when the present position of overseas. affairs was considered. The Government recognised the exeellent work which had been done by those at present responsible for aviation control and full recognition of that would be given. One of the features of the programme, he explained, would be the provision of emergency landing grounds throughout New Zealand at distances of preferably not more than 50 miles.