AIR LINK NEEDED

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 40, 17 February 1932, Page 9

AIR LINK NEEDED

ENGLAND TO AUSTRALIA

"ONLY A MATTER OF TIME"

(By Tclepraph.)

(Special to ','The Evening Post.")

AUCKLAND, This Day

Vlt is almost a discredit to the Empire that an air route like that between England and Australia is not operated. However, I feel .quite optimistic, and. as the ■connection isreally a necessity, it is only a matter of time before it becomes an established fact." . /Theso statements, were made by.'. Sir "Walter Nicholson,-governing..director of Imperial Airways,; Ltd., who arrived from Sydney by the Marama. After four weeks in Australia, during which 'time ,lie discussed the question: of extending, the air link from Karachi, to Australia.: with members of the Federal. Government, Sir Walter has -come to. New Zealand for a short holiday before joining the Beinuera at Wellington; on. 27th .February, for his return trip"to London. It, is his.first, ■visit to'■ this, country, and lie hopes to have a quick look over the North Island, although he realises that ton days is a totally inadequate time for touring the 'Dominion -which be has heard so much: about. ; ■> r LIMITED FINANCES. , "I did not come to Australia with ,any specific offer concerning an extension of,our service from Karachi,'but, as I was in, the Commonwealth, I naturally took the opportunity of inquiring into"the matter," said Sir Waiter. "At the present time, however, the financial position, not only in Australia, but also in England, is so. uncertain that neither of : the Governments concerned is able to ; make any offer in the way of subsidies. . The extension of the service is really a necessity, and it is, I think, only a matter of .time before it becomes an established .fact. . . , . "I am convinced that It is the* Empire services that we should concentrate on," said Sir "Walter. "Both the "English and Federal ~.Governments, I flunk, arc in favour of our service! being extended to Australia, and financial stringency' appears, to lie the only real objcet!in the way.'' .' Questioned • concerning a trans-Tas-.man extension, at a time when the England-Australia 'sorvicQ became afact, Sir ,- Walter said that - thai, too; would .come eventually,, although, the long stretch to be covered in '..ones, "hop"^presented a considerable technical proposition; ■'■ Twelve hundred miles was a big stretch, and very largo flying boats would "be required.for ,the service. ' However, bigger: machines would be ! built; and the service, was \jound to coino: eventually. ... THE AIRSHIP QUESTION. :, Sir. Walter declined to comment on the cablegram;. in whiehV Colonel the Master-of Semphill is .reported to'have expressed the conviction that airships are,better, than' aerpplaries'or seaplanes for Imuerial air lines.., "Imperial Airways, Ltd., have never contemplated the building of airships," he said. '.'I was Secretary of the Air Ministry for ton years, and naturally heard many discussions concerning airships, and. although : : X formed, certain opinions about their efficiency, I do not think it would be tight for me to make them public": , ■•;'... V Discussing the operations of imperial Airways, Ltd., Sir Walter said that thecompany had been in existence • for eight years, and he had been a director only for the <past, twelve; months. The chief object of . tiUe. : . eonp.ern ~was. r ,to operate their, services with.as few machines as possible. ' AlWeekly service between Croydon and Cape Town had Been opened last mouthy and the service to Karachi:-was well known. The cohrrjany operated a number of other services, / and' ■''.during tho ■"' summer months trips were "made daily to Paris. ' Eight' "of the' newest .type 'of aeroplanes, commonly known as the Hannibal class, were in operation; and there were also three large flying boats of the Kent class and a number of older_ machines. In 'addition; eight machines of a new type were being built for the service 'to' Africa. The' largest machine operated'by'the com-pany-had accommodation for 38 passengers. ' :.. ■ ■'': ' ''I .am .neither an aviator nor a technical expert,, and fherefore ani not in a position to; say whether land machines or sea machines are the more suitable for use '.in New. Zealand," said Sir Walter. '.'" -■', :■ ' . '".