BRITISH AIR SERVICE

Evening Star, Issue 18513, 21 December 1923, Page 7

BRITISH AIR SERVICE

COMMERCE CRAFT.

Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright.

NEW YORK, December 20. (Received December 21, at 8.5 a.m.)

The Duke of Sutherland (British Undersecretary for Air) denied that he said that Britain was two years behind the United States hi commercial aviation, but Britain did abandon the lighter-than-air craft two years ago for reasons of economy, and she is now revising her plans as regards aeroplanes. Britain, ho said, was equal to any country except France in commercial aviation. Rrilain probably excelled the United States because of the Government subsidies, which will be withdrawn ten years hence, when tho industry will probably be self-supporting.—A. and N.Z. Cablq.

A NEW ERA,

BRITAIN’S INSULARITY ENDED,

NEW YORK, December 20.

(Received December 21, at 9.5 a.m.)

Group-captain Christie, Air Attache to the British Navy, gave a dinner to the Duke of Sutherland, who said that the British Empire should appreciate tho value of flying more than anybody, because tho Empire’s strength lay in the dominions, which required quick inter-communication and safety for the Imperial trade routes. “ Aviation,” said the speaker,” had ended Britain’s insularity. She is now part of Continental Europe, like France and Germany. Through air defence and commercial flying Britain proposes to link the dominions together, just as Britain is linked to tho Continent. Britain regards flying as essential to commerce and shippuig, and looks upon air rivalry as commercial competition.”—A. and N.Z. Cable.