AIR DEFENCE.
MINISTER'S VIEWS. “If war were declared to-mor-row, our cruisers would go to the nearest naval base and be under the one naval comimand. Our defence would consist of guns in fixed positions and land forces. If one armed merchantman belonging to the enemy arrived 150 uniles off this eoast, with a mother-ship carrying ten or twelve aeroplanes, equipped with gas' and bombs for the destruction of four cities, what is ouv defence?” This question epitomises the views of the Minister of Defence (the Hon. T. M. Wolford) upon New Zealand defence policy, and was the form in which he replied to. a question on the subject on Thursday. Mr. Wilford is convinced that aviation must play an important part in any adequate defence scheme. Asked the attitude of the Government towards the aero clubs which are being formed throughout the Dominion, the Minister said that when the policy of the Government was settled it would be announced by the Prime Minister; hut before it was announced it would be his duty to see how many clubs were essential and what were their requirements. It was useless for any set of enthusiasts to start tout to run an aefo club unless they could see a certain £3OOO a year in hand for the running of the club. No club could be run under that figure, after it had the ground, the hangars, and the machines.
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Manawatu Herald, Volume L, Issue 3938, 4 May 1929, Page 2
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236AIR DEFENCE. Manawatu Herald, Volume L, Issue 3938, 4 May 1929, Page 2
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