NOW A NECESSITY

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 115, 8 February 1935, Page 11

NOW A NECESSITY

Tasman Sea Air Service

KINGSFORD SMITH’S VIEW (Received February 7. 10.15 p.m.) Sydney, February 7. Tributes were paid Sir Charles Kingsford Smith, who was the guest of honour at a Millions Club luncheon to-day, that he was a “national hero and the greatest living aviator in the world.” Sir Charles, in the course of his response, said that Australia should no longer be satisfied with machines that, tootled along at 100 miles an hour. “I want to see machines here doing 200 miles an hour,” he said. “Australia, with its vast distances and ideal weather, is most suitable for high speed, long distance air lines.” He added that the London to .Melbourne trip should be covered in 54 to 6 days, and those in control of the Empire air mail should aim at that objective with machines specially built for the service.

Furthermore, an air link between Australia and New Zealand'had become a necessity. He was assured that the Dominion Government was ready to spend a considerable sum in installing modern directional radio guides.