The Dominion WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 13, 1933. NEW ZEALAND AVIATION

Dominion, Volume 27, Issue 68, 13 December 1933, Page 8

The Dominion WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 13, 1933. NEW ZEALAND AVIATION

.Two interesting news items Faith in Australia has demonstrated Übm . ” in the way of rapid air transport and mail communications by leaving Auckland at 4.45 a.m. and arriving at Inyermunications y s practical demonstration of the possibilities SXoretSoLand arguments by speeia! pleaders on behaHof a forward policy in the developmentetatl aviation m th. country The other item relates that the Wejhngton Aero Club s ambutace has been commissioned Tor XaffiSSJ of an invalid from Hawera to Oamaru. That is a local illustratio of the utility side of aviation the comprehensiveness of which in other count es the average New Zealander has no conception He knows about celebrated “stunts,” that mads and passengers carried with time-table regularity in countries where aviation has bee highly developed. But does he realise in how many other directions the aeroplane is being harnessed to the service and convenience of civilised communities and doing efficient work. • Compared with this development overseas we seem to be.living in a Dark Age. It is time to be up and doing, and taking thought about making a definite beginning in the matter by organising fast passenger and mail communications by an. The Prince of Wales the other day emphasised the importance of speeding up • the air services, and attention has previously been, drawn to the. too leisurely pace of the England-India-Australia air service as proposed when 5 the through line' is established next year. In this country we have not even begun to plan for air-mail services. '. Before the inauguration of these is seriously discussed, Wellington should take stock of its present .disabilities in the matter of its only aerodrome, at R ° nS Local opinions regarding its suitability are divided, but there is no division of opinion on the part of such airmen as Kingsford Smith and Ulm. They consider Rongotai unsuitable' for big machines, and as our passenger and mail aeroplanes of the future must to be efficient in service and profitable commercially be of appropriate size, it is surely obvious that we should take stock of the position. Our .magnificent harbour has given us the premier position as a port, and it has ' been good for business. It ought to be a matter of local interest and pride that we should have an aerodrome of corresponding superiority.