LAGGING BEHIND

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 85, 9 January 1928, Page 12

LAGGING BEHIND

AVIATION IN NEW ZEALAND A PERTINENT QUERY In view of the..contemplated Tasman flight at the week-end, the fact that New Zealand is doing little or nothing to develop any form of air service is a matter for grave consideration (writes “H.P.”). In the past New Zealand used to lead the way in many things legislative, and almost had what one might call “the American touch” in trying everything once; yet, whilst she produced a good many airmen during the war (one stung a Zepp. to death over London), the authorities appear to have gone to sleep in the matter of fostering commercial flying, which must precede aviation as a sport. As an example of what other countries are doing might I mention the case of Colombia, a South American State, so far only half explored. When making the passage of the Panama Canal last year, the passenger list was swelled by the embarkation at Colon of three young Colombians—handsome, cultured, and accomplished young men, fashionably dressed, and experts in the very latest ballroom dances. Though Spanish was their native language, they spoke English very well indeed, and in all respects were quite up-to-date. _ They belonged to Bogotra, the capital of Colombia, and were on their way to Madrid for a holiday. In order to get out of their country (which lias very restricted railway facilities) they flew 800 miles by seaplane, a service which follows the rivers from away inland and upland, down to the coast, where a railway brought them on to Panama. This air service (of German ownership) has been in existence for ten years, and verv seldom lias there been an accident recorded. On the Continent there are services from and to anywhere at moderate rates, whilst in America there are aerodromes »near every large citv, with pilots on hand to undertake any flight. What has New Zealand done ? It is now nearly ten years since the Great War ended, and we have not even a weekly air service between Wellington <nd Christchurch. Isn’t it time we woke up ?