AIRSHIP SERVICE.

Gisborne Times, Volume LV, Issue 6142, 28 July 1921, Page 5

AIRSHIP SERVICE.

AN IMPORTANT REPORT

(Received Julv 27, 5 5 p.m.) LONDON, July 26

Mr. Guest, in the Commons, replying to a question, said the Imperial Conference Committee was appointed to : consider the question of airships, and was ordered to report—(l) The cost of’ masts, the basis of fuel supply, and the upkeep and operation of the- existing airship fleet for purposes of Imperial air communications, with special reference to the routes between Britain, India. Africa, Australia, and New Zealand; (2) the Services by Aeroplanes Committee will Report also on the proposals for the formation cf civil companies to operate airships. The report, complete, was handed this day to the Colonial Office.—A. and N.Z. Cable Assn.

The Daily Chronicle forecasts the report of the committee on air communications, which will be presented to Mr. Churchill. The paper says it would be too expensive an undertaking to maintain the present British airships for purposes of an Imperial service, instead of scrapping them on August 1, as the Government proposes. The proposal to try an experimental period of six months. at a cost of £IBO,OOO has been abandoned, because it having already been proved that Australasia and South Africa can be reached by air, the experiments are unnecessary. Little good would be obtainable from an Imperial Air Service unless run for longer than six months. A term of years, is required to prove if such a service would be commercially remunerative. —A. and N.Z. C.A.