CO129-539-11 Hong Kong Flying Club- proposed establishment of a Flying Training school at Kai Tak 8-4-1932 - 4-3-1933 — Page 64

71

The new School will train pilots in order to develop all phases

of aviation in China.'

Since then further news reference has been made to the formation

of this American School, which is apparently co-operating with the

Nanking Government, and only a few days ago, an item appeared in

the Hong Kong papers announcing the arrival in Shanghai of Colonel

Jouett. From information obtained by your Petitioner's Northern

Offices this gentleman was accompanied by fifteen American

Instructors and this aviation "Mission" proceeded to Hangchow and

has commenced operations without delay. According to the inform-

ation obtained by your Petitioner the personnel of this school is paid one half by the Chinese Government and one half by the largest

group of American Aircraft Manufacturers.

9. That your Petitioner humbly submits that the foregoing presents a

situation which bids fair vitally to threaten the prospects of British aircraft

manufacturers in the sale of their products in China.

10. That owing to the failure of support which your Petitioner hoped to

obtain from your Excellency's Government, American competitors are now de-

finitely first in the field where there was every reason why British Manufacturers

and their Agents could and should have been first.

This new school is undoubtedly going to use American equipment and

will have an all-American personnel. Every graduate of this School (sponsored

as it is by the Nanking Government) will upon graduation become a trade ambassador for American equipment and methods. It is most unlikely that any

of these graduates would consider the purchase of British equipment owing to

their comparative ignorance of its operation and suitability.

11. That on a basis of quality and excellence of design and workmanship,

British manufacturers need fear nothing in direct competition with aircraft

produced by any other country. British aircraft and equipment is definitely

second to none and given the same terms and conditions as those given foreign

competitors, the British factories are assured of their share of the business.

7