IMPERIAL AIRWAYS

Evening Star, Issue 19275, 14 June 1926, Page 5

IMPERIAL AIRWAYS

PROGRESS UNDER GOVERNMENT MOORING MASTS NECESSARY. APPEAL TO THE DOMINIONS. Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. LONDON, June 13. (Received June 14, at 9.50 a.m.) The progress of aviation under Government auspices was described by Sir Samuel Hoare (Secretary of State for Air) at a luncheon of the British Empire League. He said ho considered that three main lines of development should he pursued, and suggested a route via India, which should be readied in four days, Australia in ten days, New Zealand in twelve. Cape Town should be reached in six days. These would be the great Empire trunk lines, from which smaller lines would radiate, linking up the colonies. Sir Samuel Hoare appealed to the dominions and colonies’ representatives to do their utmost to maintain landing grounds. A regular passenger and traffic line would be running between Cairo and Karachi not later than January 1 next. Passengers were already being booked, and the actual construction of airships was beginning. Two airships wore being built by the Government and tho Airship Guarantee Co., initiated by Commander Burney. All the work on tho Egyptian base would ha finished by the end of December. Equally great progress was being made at, Karachi.

The Minister suggested that the dominion Governments, in their own interests, should build masts to take these airships. Personally lie was convinced that onco the Gairo-Karaclii air service was m operation there would bo an irresistible demand for its extension to Singapore. In giving an optimistic description of the construction of the two great airships, Sir Samuel Hoare emphasised the fact that they could not fly to the dominions unless mooring posts were erected. He suggested that the dominions, in their own interests as much as those of the Empire, should each build masts to enable flights to be made to South Africa, Australia, and Now Zealand. If these were erected immediately they would enable flights to bo made as soon as the ships were completed. The Minister emphasised the immense political advantage in shortening the time'that would be taken by Prime Ministers proceeding to London for the purpose of attending conferences and consultations.—Reuter.