N.Z. AIR FORCE

Hokitika Guardian, 9 June 1932, Page 5

N.Z. AIR FORCE

more adequate provision.

DESIRED BY NAVY LEAGUE;

I'By Telegraph — ft. Press Association)

WELLINGTON, June 8

More adequate provision for the Fleet Air Arm branch of the Air I* orce wa«s suggested to-day by a deputation from the Navy League which submitted to the Prime Minister remits from a conference of the New Zealand branch of the League. The Dominion Secretary, Mr R. Danroch, said the League suggested (1) that two large flying boats should be provided, or, failing this, that additional Fairey LIT. F’s should bo obtained, as one was urgently necessary as a standby for the existing machine; (2) that the workshops of the base should be equipped; (3) that an additional personnel should be enlisted; (4) that adequate service wireless equipment should be provided in place of the extemporised equipment in use at present. Replying, the Prime Minister said that this matter was governed by the necessity for keeping the expenditure of the country down to the very lowest limits. Tho League’s recommendations were deserving of every consideration. The Miuister of Defence pointed out that there bad been no considerable curtailment in the expenditure on the Navy so far as the Air Arm was concerned. In fact the Dominion’s Navy expenditure this year would be about twice what would be expended on the country’s laud forces. The Defence Department hqel in contemplation the purchase of additional machines, but it was all a matter of finance. He had visited Devonport last week in ! company with tho Commodore, and had ( f'Mind things in a most satisfactory j state.