EMPIRE CONFERENCE

Evening Star, Issue 17731, 4 August 1921, Page 4

EMPIRE CONFERENCE

AIR SERVICES. MR HUGHES’S PERTINACITY, Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. LONDON, August 2. Each Dominion will be responsible for its wireless installation and tho control of its special sphere. Havino- .secured a measure of concession in regard to wireless, Mr Hughes strove to obtain an airship scheme. The official arrangements provided that the Imperial airship organisation should bo scrapped by August 1. Everything was ready to this end°, who i Mr Hughes intervened in securing a delay, contending that_ it was impossible to hope to secure satisfaction unless a nucleus of aircraft was available to make tests. Tho Imperial authorities have' now agreed to extend the life of this body til) Christmas, and the interval will bo occupied in furthering the objects outlined by tho Imperial ticularly with reference to the service to Australia. No long-distance tests, however, will bo made, the trials extending purely to accessible centres. Tiio inquiries made by tho special committee appointed by the Conference showed that the cost of providing a fleet of twenty-five-knot steamers would bo between £27,000,003 and £50,000,000. It was estimated that each would cost £3,000,000. The minimum number required to provide an adequate service between Great Britain and Australasia would bo nine such vessels. The fast steaming would reduce the journey by eleven days. The "airship scheme, judged by a conservative estimate, would reduce the existing time by eighteen days. The committee estimated that an airship service could bo established for the cost of a single twenty-five-knot steamer. After a debate the Conference decided to leave the question unsettled, arranging that it bo referred to tho Dominion Parliaments, which would bo furnished with tho latest available information, and also kept in touch witn the developments, CONFERENCE ENDS. LONDON, August- 2, The -Conference proceedings have now officially terminated, although tho delegates will spend a few days in framing a report on wireless and the Airship Committee’s recommendations. The summary of the proceedings! at tho Conference will bo made public as scon as possible.—A. and N.Z. Cable.