REPORT ON AIR RACE

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25308, 7 October 1947, Page 6

REPORT ON AIR RACE

reply to progress LEAGUE

NAME OF EVENT CHANGED A report presented to the Canterbury Progress League recently, expressing opposition to the 1000-mile air contest next February, was described as being rude, ill-conceived and badly-timed, by Mr H. D. Christie (president), at a meeting of the contest committee last evening. “I don’t' think that the Progress League should have made those statements without a full knowledge of the facts. We don’t mind criticism of a constructive nature; but the reported words are more than strong or reasonable criticism,” he said. “I can not visualise that a body which caffs itself a progress league could agree unanimously to such a statement as appeared in the newspapers.” He added .that the statement seemed to be ah inspired one.

The project was the first one of its kjnd in New Zealand on a national basis, and it cpuld not be-denied that the, Canterbury Aero Club and every other club in New Zealand had progress in mind, continued Mr Christie, Without exception, all clubs in the North Island* and the northern part of the South Island visited by members of the committee recently supported the project to the full, and the only criticism of the event had been about the title—.“ The South Island Air Race.”

“A race indicates wide-open throttles; but as you all know that was never the intention of this committee. Reliability and safety were always at the back of our minds,” he said, suggesting that a differfiht title be chosen. One of the aims was to prove to the public the safety of the club aircraft in preparation for the return of charter licences, said Mr Christie. The National Airways Corporation had created confidence in its short time of operation, and when the charters were returned, clubs would operate morq or less under licence from the corporation.

Reasons for Contest Mr Christie outlined several reasons why, he said, the contest should be held. He mentioned the training aspect and said that the petrol used would not be more—and might be less —than would be consumed by clubs normally. Britain was fostering civil aviation by permitting air races and large air shows, he said, as it was the future transport of the country and’ the world. Mr T. H. Langlord said that Mr Christie had told a good atory in the wrong place. .. "If petrol rationing does come, I hope the motorist will realise that he uses more than SO per cent, of the monthly gaUonage,’ remarked Mr Christie. The Progress League had made a mis-informed statement, and the committee should carry on with the race, said Mr J. W. S. Stannage, The league had not understood that the event was not going to be an air race, said Mr E>. W? Westenra (president . of the Canterbury Progress league), who is a member of the contest committee, in reply to Mr Christie, As a navigation test, he was not against it. “After hearing what you have said to-night, I think it is perfectly, all right, and a very good idea. You wi!l get our backing," Ke said. It had been felt, he added, that if a race had been held, the public would not have been set an example, and would have gone ahead and used petrol. A very good answer had, however, been made might be made about the project. It was important that fuff details of tho ? wld be made public, as' the Progress League fiad got away to a bad start because members had not known the/farts, said Mr E. T. Beaven Alter some discussion, it was deeidaV Q R»V Co n nmst$ e SoUth Island