The Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 1927. ASLEEP AGAIN?

Greymouth Evening Star, 10 September 1927, Page 6

The Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 1927. ASLEEP AGAIN?

At a recent meeting of the Greymouth Borough Council, Or. Williams suggested that the Council should consider the retaining of suitable leasehold land, as site for an aerodrome. His remarks were treated as if.they were humorous, instead of an instance of foresight of which Greymouth is in much need. When Capt. Buckley visited here some years ago, with the first ’plane to fly in this district, a similar suggestion was made in these columns, it being stated that if Greymouth did not cater for aerial traffic, the development of

which was certain, more enterprising centres would. Hokitika has apparently caught Greymouth asleep again in con nection with the visit to the Dominion of the Imperial Air Service Mission, in search of suitable areas for mooring sites for the airships to be used in the proposed service. Visits are being paid to various New Zealand centres, and each is keen to be the place selected, as the harvest must be rich as aerial traffic increases. Greymouth, owing to its proximity to Australia, has certain advantages, but nothing is being done to bring these before those who might make use of them. Hokitika, was less apathetic, and enrolled on its side, the services of the Member for Westland, who was successful in persuading the Homeland airmen to try to visit Hokitika to see the facilities offered there. Unfortunately, owing to road blockage, the visitors’ car could not get through, and through lack of time, the project had to be abandoned. However, s that was not Hokitika’s fault. It is unlikely that the Imperial Airship ' Service will make the Coast the site for the mooring post required, but there is no reason why, as the years pass, this district should not be a flourishing air-post for the trans-Tasman and Dominion services. Greymouth should have first consideration, but if it does nothing to help itself., no surprise need be aroused if lesser towns usurp its trading rights. Hokitika cannot be blamed for working for its own advancement. <qnd none should begrudge it, any of the fruits of its enterprise, even if the congratulations are accompanied by a feeling of regret that its larger neighbour should.- be caught napping, and not for the first time. It is not too late to get busy, and the Borough Council, or the Chamber of Commerce should, in future, pay special attention to aerial traffic possibilities. Just as in earlier days, districts had to form special organisations to get railways in their areas, so is it now desirable to have similar efforts made to secure aerial traffic. This mode of transportation is, of course, in its early stages in the Dominion, and not, of much account, but it must grow, and will probably develop with a rush, when it gets a good start. New Zealand is one of the most backward countries where aviation is concerned, but it has been described by one of the visiting Mission as a ‘‘perfect aerodrome,” and optimisnf is justified regarding growth of this form of traffic and travel.

' Progress in the older countries, despite recent tragedies, has become really advanced, and with the safety factor yearly increased, there is every reason Io expect air traffic to become more general. The story of railways and motor cars will be repeated, to-day’s machines being improved upon, until almost perfection is reached. Accidents will happen, as they do now on railways or with cars, but per haps not to the same extent. Ex perieneed airmen belittle the idea of danger, and although little is heard in New Zealand of normal daily aerial traffic, this is already considerable in Britain, Europe and the United States, with a record of comparative immunity from disaster in civil aviation. Unquestionably, New Zealand will duly possess her own similar aerial services and the districts that invest time and money now in preparation for the busy times to come, will have no cause for regret. Those districts that do nothing for themselves in this 1 matter will lament such short-sightedness.