NATIONAL DEFENCE.

Waikato Times, Volume 119, Issue 19889, 19 May 1936, Page 8

NATIONAL DEFENCE.

RELATION TO AIR SERVICES. BUSINESSMEN’S OPINIONS. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Tuesday. Arising from a discussion on the public or private owners of air services at a meeting of the Council of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce, members turned the talk into opinions on national defence. Referring to a recent deputation from the chamber to Lhe- PostmasterGeneral, the Hon. F. Jones, on mail and cable services, Mr W. M- Wright said where the Department had a monopoly of its class of business the profits really became extra taxation on the community and should be used either to reduce charges or improve services. He had submitted to Mr Jones that air mails should be carried at ordinary rates of postage for that reason.

Government operation of air services had been suggested because of the relation of the dying services to national defence, said Mr Wright. New Zealand was practically unprotected at present and the Royal New Zealand Air Force \vas not as strong as it should be. Labour used to favour disarmament but the Government had made no announcement of its defence policy since taking office.

The chairman, Mr G. J. B. Norwood, said the discussion had got right away t'ropji the point. A committee should first consider the whole question so that an opinion would be reached that would be the considered view of the chamber. He declared the discussion closed, pointing out thart the opinions expressed had been those of members only and not those of the chamber. A committee was appointed to consider the whole question of national defence-