AIRSHIP FLEET.

Auckland Star, Volume LVI, Issue 185, 7 August 1930, Page 7

AIRSHIP FLEET.

ATLANTIC SERVICE.

British Hustle to Forestall Germans.

ANGLO-CANADIAN MOVE.

(United P.A.—Electric Telegraph-Copyright)

(Received 9.80 a.m.) OTTAWA, August 6. An address was given at the Canadian Club, Ottawa, in the presence of the Prime Minister, Mr. W. L. Mackenzie King, and the Prime Minister-elect, Mr. R. B. Bennett, by Sir Dennistoun Burney, designer of the airship RIOO. The speaker urged Canada to take the next step in placing tlie British Empire in the forefront of airship transportation by inaugurating a trans-Atlantic service between Britain and Canada before a service between Germany and the United States, planned by Dr. Eckener, comes to maturity. Sir Dennistoun asked for the formation of a committee of prominent Canadian business men to investigate the situation in the next few days and decide whether the Canadian Govern-ment-and business interests are prepared to support a trans-Atlantic air service. With the views of such a committee before him he would be able to lay a concrete proposition before the British Government on his return to London. The speaker proposed a fleet of airships capable of accomplishing a flight of 6000 miles with 100 passengers and ten tons of mail matter.

THOUSAND 'PLANES. Complement for New American Carriers. OUTCOME OF NAVAL PACT. (Received 9.30 a.nv.) WASHINGTON, August 0. The Navy General Board is considering whether to ask Congress approval for a new aeroplane building programme of 1000 'planes, costing £17,000,000. The 'planes are for use on the new 09,000 tons aircraft-carriers allotted to the United States under the London Naval Treaty. YOUTH HAS ITS DAY. All Sections Pay Tribute to Amy's Achievement. VALUABLE AWARDS GIVEN. (British Officinl Wireless.) (Received 1- noon.) RUGBY, August 6. Miss Amy Johnson was accorded a tumultuous reception when she drove in triumph through the streets of London to-day to attend a luncheon given in her honour. Tho police had great difficulty in keeping the way clear for her car, and flowers were showered upon her along the whole route. In tho procession through the streets she was accompanied by many of her own generation, by notable women who have won distinction in various directions, by pioneers of aviation> including Sir Arthur Wbitten Brown, who, with the late Sir John Alcock, flew across the Atlantic for the first time eleven years ago. A large floral model of Jason, her Moth aeroplane, was suspended over the luncheon table, at which Mr. Esmond Harmsworth presided. Among those who paid eloquent tributes to Miss Johnson for her great achievement were Mr. J. H. Thomas, Secretary for the Dominions, Sir\ Sefton Brancker, Director of Civil Aviation, and Sir Philip Sassoon, chairman of the Royal Aero Club. At tho luncheon, which was organised by the "Daily Mail" and took place at the Savoy Hotel, Miss Amy Johnson was presented with the first certificate of honorary membership of the United Kingdom Guild of Air Pilots and Navigators' ever given to a woman. She also received the "Daily Mail's" cheque for £10,000 and a gold cup from the British Youth. , Those present included youthful leaders of the British stage, the cinema, sport, literature, science, art, politics, music, education, commerce, and architecture. Miss Johnson, in replying to the laudatory speeches, said: "There was nothing exceptional in my flight except that I am a girl. There is no reason why any other girl should not emulate it."

CUNNINGHAM SILENT. No News of Australian En Route for England. FIRST HOP TO BIMA. SYDNEY, August 6. A message from Bima, Sumbawa 'Island, Dutch East Indies, states that Mr. A. T. Cunningham had not arrived there up to 7 a.m. to-day. The airman left Wynclham, West Australia, at 5.45 a.m. yesterday for Bima on the first stage of an attempted flight to England from Australia in the aeroplane Genairco. The weather at the time of his departure was favourable and a following breeze was blowing. A message from Weltevreden (Batavia) Java says there is no news of Mr. Cunningham. The authorities at Koepang and Timor have been ordered to search the interior of Timor Island.