N.Z. AERO CLUBS

Hokitika Guardian, 2 May 1929, Page 3

N.Z. AERO CLUBS

GOVERNM ENT’S POLICY. IY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSN., COPYRIGHT WELLINGTON, May ■ A preliminary announcement ith respect to the Government’s a*.'.ition policy was made by the Minister of Defence (H'm. T. M. A\ ilford) to-day. Answering an inquiry as to wiat was the attitude of the Government towaids the Aero Clubs of New Zealand, the Minister said: “When the policy oT the Government is settled, it will he announced by the Prime Minister, but before it is announced, it will be my duty to see how many ch-bs are essential and what ‘are their requirements. It is useless fur my set of enthusiasts starting out to run a.n Aero Club unless they can -ec a certain £3OOO a year in hand fer tbe running of the Club. ■-No Club can ho run under that figure— that is after it has the grounds, the hangars and the machines.”

The Minister added that, sin e his assumption of the portfolio of Defence, ho had given a series of leeturrttes on aviation at various places firm Auckland to Bluff. “To every body of men interested I have approached.” Mr. Wilford said, “I have submitted a question for their earnest and considered thought, lit (is this: If w.r were declared to-morrow, our ernrem would go to the nearest naval oase. and be under the one naval com:’ and. Our defence would consist of gurs in fixed pesitoins and land lorces. If one armed merchantman belonging to the enemy arrived 150 miles off this roast with a mother ship, cariying ten o" twelve aeroplanes, equipped with gas and bombs for tfie destruction of our cities, what is our defence?”