N.Z. AIR FORCE

Hokitika Guardian, 27 September 1932, Page 8

N.Z. AIR FORCE

REPORT BEFORE PARLIAMENT

MACHINES MOSTLY OBSOLETE

(Special to “Guardian”)

mLLINGTON, September 24. Only aeroplane belonging to the New Zeajpihd Air Force is of the service type as still used, in other parts of the British, Empire. All the remainder are- obsolete, according to the annual report of the General Officer Commanding. The report* was presented to:. Parliament to-day. - , There are two Air Force stations in tjie Dojninion, states the report, and aircraft* are distributed as follows: Hobsonville Station—One Fairey, HF seaplane, one Cutty Sark flying boat 'three Moths. ,

Wigram Station —Five Bristol fighters, three Grebe fighters, four Hawker Tomtits; three training Moths and one Puss Moth for photographic and communication purposes.

_i The Fairey lIF is the only service type still is use in other parts of the Empire. The utility of this; machine is considerably reduced during the current year owing to the necessity for heavy overhauls. -• . ' The Bristol Fighters and Grebes, pre now six years -old and their maintenr ance is becoming, increasingly flifficult, both in respect to personnel and supply of spares. A large proporton; of this year’s ;Airt Force vote, assuming that it remains, unaltered, will be expended in the; supply of spares for maintenance of these obsolete machines. Lack of technical accessories has militated against the training of the permanent and Territorial Airt Foret, ip essential military duties and also against? the utilisation of the air force in certain public services such as surveys. ilt is. hoped to make provision foi| *£uch equipment in the near future. Although /the Hobsonville base was completed* 'two years -ago no machine equipment. essential for the maintenance of aircraft and engines has yet been installed. It isi hoped, to make provision for this urgent need in this year’s estimates. • / 1 The strength of'the Permanent Air Force tetriained unaltered during 'last year bnt/ort account of the deteriorat tion of equipment an increase in the number, of technical aircraftsmen is a matter of urgency.

■ Defence expenditure in New Zea-, Jarfd has been from? £521,745 for the year ; 19?7t28 tor- £182,974 for the ynr 1931-32.- . The department, vote for 1931-32 was reduced to a net amount of ; £215,000 by the exercise of the strictest economy, and owingtto certain commitments, not materialising, and to credits in aid realising a larger sum than .was expected,-.the net, expenditure was reduced to £182,974. In previous years expenditure for buildings- and developmental work was shown under the . heading of “Contingent defence” in the Public Works Department ■ vote,; ybut' in the past year expendittfibi of this kind has been included in the ordinary Defence vote. General ;ASinclair-Burgess points out that demands for- economy had prevented attention being given to many essentiall repairs, and replacement of military armament equipment, stores, buildings and material generally, and many of * these- matters will requirte to ■be taken in hand in the near futuie if the department is not to be faced at eottle date*with heavy cumulative expenditure toi make good these deficiencies and to place the material again in a serviceable condition. During the year onl-urgent works were carried out and several rifle ranges had to be closed in the interests of public safety-. ‘ '