AIR DEFENCE

Hokitika Guardian, 29 December 1933, Page 4

AIR DEFENCE

AUSTRALIAN RECOMMENDATION

ENCOURAGING CIVIL FLYING

SYDNEY, December 2G

Command r » Ci r Waiter G Windham, a British aviation authority, in an interview, advocated the formation of a volunteer air force in Australia ,tbe establishment of thoroughly equipped aerodromes at the principal centres throughout the Commonwealth, and the development or com mereial aviat ion.

“Australia has an enormous coastline,” he said, “but her population of more than 6,000,000 is adequate to protect her in time of war, provided she has a mobile army in an air force.

“What is the use of sticking guns here, there, and everywhere? A would-be enemy would not land at those points, .and, in case of a nightlanding, coastal defences would be useless. You cannot .shift the guns. On the other hand with well-lightecl aerodromes, aeroplanes 'would be/ as efficient in Australia at night as in the clay time.

“The Commonwealth Government, first ,of all, should jestablish > aerodromes throughout the country. The state governments, which possess large areas of Crown lands, could make grants of land, available; in any case, land is cheap and easily convertible into first-class aerodromes. Provision should be made for maintenance, and petrol and oil should he available. These aerodromes would assist commercial aviation, which in any case, should be subsidised by the Government.

“The world is moving so rapidly that we cannot go back to the old form of defence, such as digging trenches,” proceeded Sir Walter Windham. “Commercial aeroplanes easily convertible for defence purposes, should he utilised, and a volunteer air force created. I understand that a number of clubs has been formed, the press of Australia should agitate for an efficient air force. The volunteer force, as a nucleus to the air force, could be Os Moll she! on eomme.-fcial' lines, the Government, subsidising companies and fostering their development. “Every person in the nation should realise that the air is file great highway of the world, and you must deal with it accordingly. Australia lends itself pinch', more to aviation than does England.”

Sir Walter Windham said that on this question of air defence the Dominions and Great Britain must be united, as one country under one fiag ) with one idea, one thought, and one bond,