FROM AMERICA.

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 301, 4 December 1936, Page 6

FROM AMERICA.

—— 0 Aeroplane For Service In New Zealand.

Press Association —Copyright. , , Christchurch, Last Night. ' “The action of lhe Government in putting its imprimatur on American aeroplanes was determined by necessity, not by choice,” said the Minister, of Transport, the Hon. R. Semple, at Greymouth when asked, why' he had sanctioned the use of Lockheed Elec'tra monoplanes for Union Airways’ North Island service. AL I the present it would be imposmllkq I he said, to obtain de, livery from England of the type of aeroplane required for the • Wellington .to .'Auckland service. Mr Sempje said it was very difficult to-day to procure anything in the machinery -line from Great Britain. Had there been anj question of deciding between British and American monoplanes .the Government would undoubtedly have used its influence in favour of British machines. A certain type of machine was wanted in a hurry for the inauguration of the projected new service, and as the monoplanes needed were unprocur-

able in England, Un-Kin Airways had no option but .to go to the next ibes'4 country for its purpose. The diversion of the bulk of her manufacturing units into the making of armaments precluded England from accepting orders from overseas with any expectation of delivery within a reasonable period.