EMPIRE AIR SERVICES

Press, Volume LXXIX, Issue 23941, 7 May 1943, Page 5

EMPIRE AIR SERVICES

DEVELOPMENT OF NEW ROUTES INDIAN OCEAN CROSSING TO AUSTRALIA (Special Australian Corrcsp., N.Z.P.A.) (Rec. 7.20 p.m.) SYDNEY. May fl. The development of overseas air communications is being regarded as a matter of increasing importance by Australians. The .well-known Australian airman, Captain P. G. Taylor, will shortly visit the United States m this connexion. He has just recently returned from the United States and it is understood that among other activities he advocated the development of a second air route across the Pacific. For some time Captain Tailor was engaged in ferrying aircraft across the Pacific and last year he flew the Lieu-tenant-Governor of the Netherlands East Indies (Dr. van Mook) and later General van Oyen, commander of the Netherlands East Indies Air Force, to the United States. With the late Sir Charles Kingsford-Smith. Captain Taylor made the first Pacific flight from Australia to the United States, in 1934, and in 1939 was leader of the first air crossing of the Indian Ocean. Captain Taylor believes that a five-day air mail service between Sydney and London would be feasible by the Indian Ocean route to-day. "In my view,” said Captain Taylor, "air communication between Australia and Britain is important enough to rank for the allotment of the few machines which would be necessary to provide the service. Although not so suitable as a transport type fourengined bombers converted to mail transports would provide an effective service. Presumably Britain would supply the aircraft, which would need to be of the most modern type.

“A good deal has been said of American aims towards domination of postwar air transportation. The facts are that the United States alone has energetically developed bases and provided the air communication and transport which form an essential part of the United Nations' war operations. Although individual Australians pioneered the trans-Pacific route we have to thank the United States for the national initiative and action ‘which followed these flights with an organised route without which Australia would be in a very different position torday. “There seems reason to hope, however, that with the active and Pacific conscious, service administration which now exists, Australians may be able to contribute to the great trans-Pacific air communications system on which this country is completely dependent for its existence to-day.” DEATH OF LORD HEWART FORMER LORD CHIEF JUSTICE LONDON, May 8. The death has occurred of Viscount Hewart, the fortner Lord Chief Justice of England. Lord Hewart had a remarkable career. Born- in 1870, the son of Lancashire middle-class parents, he reached the position of Lord Chief Justice at the early age of 52. Lord Hewart was educated at Manchester Grammar School and University College, Oxford, of which he was a scholar, and graduated with honours. Later he wrote leading articles for the “Star” and contributed to other newspapers. At the same time *he was studying law, and he was called to the Bar in 1902. As a barrister he was very successful. He practised on the Northern Circuit, and by 1912 had become a K.C. In 1912 he stood as a Liberal candidate for north-west Manchester. The next year he was elected for Leicester, which he represented until his retirement, from. Parliament. In December, 1916,' he was appointed Solicitor-Gen-eral'hr Mr Lloyd George’s Coalition Government.- His gifts in debate proved very valuable, and his services were recognised by his promotion to the post of Attorrfey-General in January, 1910. He became a member of the Cabinet in 1921, He gave material assistance in the framing of recon-

structive legislation, and also took part in the final negotiations with the Sinn Fein, and was one of the signatories of the Irish Treaty. He acted as president of the War Compensation Court from 1922 onwards. Knighted in 1916, he was in March, 1922, appointed Lord Chief Justice in succession to Lord Trevethin, and created Baron Hewart of Bury. He was created a viscount in 1940.

After his appointment as Lord Chief Justice, Lord Hewart, in speeches, denounced attempts by the bureaucracy of Whitehall to override Parliament and the law. In 1930 Jie published a book. "The New Despotism." in which he formulated 'his indictment _ and quoted many instances. He criticised all the political parties and stated boldly that the country was no longer governed by the House of Commons, but by the departments of Whitehall. Lord Hewart was married in December. 1934, to Miss Jean Stewart, of Wanganui, Now Zealand. Lord Hewart’s first wife died in November. 1933.

Homes for Returned Soldiers. —To provide homes for returned members of the fighting forces a trust fund in perpettuty has been created by Mr Sol Green, a well-known racehorse owner and businessman. Under the scheme Australian former servicemen will be able to purchase homes on a deposit of £SO free of interest. Yearly instalments of 10 per cent, of the cost will be charged.—Melbourne, May 6. Channel Islands Food Ration.—Food rations in the Channel Islands were reduced last week because British and American aircraft are endangering ships plying between the islands and the Continent, says the Berlin radio. It on the Allies’ future behaviour whether Germany is forced to curtail the islanders’ rations still further.—London, May 5. Attacks in Aluetians.—United States Army aeroplanes on May 4 carried out nine attacks on Japanese installations at Kiska, in the Aleutians, states a United States Navy communique. Three fires were started in the enemy's main camp area, and hits were observed in many areas. Heavy smoke was seen at North Head Washington, May 5.