DON’T FLY

Gisborne Times, Volume LXVII, Issue 10474, 3 January 1928, Page 5

DON’T FLY

PROJECTED TASMAN FLIGHT. FEDERAL GOVERNMENT’S ADVICE,

N.Z. AIR BOARD AGREES PLANE UNSUITABLE.

(United Press Assn.—Copyright.) MELBOURNE, Dec. 31.

The Prime Minister, Mr S. M. Bruce, states 'that he has communicated with Captain Knight, advising him that the Federal Ministry does not approve of the flight to New Zealand and requesting that no further attempts he made to carry it out.

Mr Bruce said that when Captain Eight presented a letter of introduction from the Rt. Hon. J, G. Coates he was under the impression that, the New Zealand Ministry approved of the flight and was asking the Commonwealth Ministry to facilitate it. In those circumstances, he felt* courtesy to the Government of a sister Dominion demanded that the Australian Ministry, even if it did not approve of the flight, should place no obstacles in the way of its being attempted. He had accordingly given instructions to the aviation authorities to give eve -y assistance possible in assembling the machine. .At the same time, he cabled the New Zealand Government, setting out the views of Die Commonwealth Ministry and conveying advice which he had received from the aviation experts as to the undesirability of the attempt being made with the type of machine proposed. To that message Mr Coates replied that the New Zealand Government had made it clear that it dill not approve of the type of machine selected and those attempting the flight were doing so at their own risk. Mr. Coates stated that the New Zealand Air 'Board advised that a more suitable type of machine should lie used.— U.P.A.

N.Z. FLIERS DEPRESSED

FUTURE PLANS INDEFINJTE

(Received Jan. 1, 5.5 p.m.> MELBOURNE. Jan. I

Although Captain Knight and the other New Zealand airmen inspected the plane to-day, they made no effort to fly to Sydney. At a late hour they- were standing by-, apparentlyawaiting some developments. Colonel Brinsmead, Controller of Civil Aviation, said to-day- that, in view of Air Bruce’s statement previously cabled, it was impossible for the Australian authorities to render the New Zealanders any more assistance. What they proposed to do now was a matter for themselves. About two months ago Colonel Brinsmead said Air Bruce indicated veiy dearly the type of machine which would receive the support of the Federal Government—-that was a machine designed specifically for long distance flying over water. In reply to a question as to what steps .the Government would take if the aviators persisted in making the trip, Colonel Brinsmead pointed out that, there were certain penalties which could lie imposed for a- bieacli of the flying regulations of the Commonwealth.

AIELBOURXE, Jan. 1. Captain Knight states that the New Zealand airmen are extremelydepressed over the attitude of the Australian Government as they understood they had the Australian authorities’ permission to make the flight. Captain Knight added that their future plans were indefinite and was unable to say what they were going to do until they have communicated with the New Zealand Government.—U.P.A.

OTHER. SIDE OF STORY

ASSURED OF CAPABILITY Of PLANE.

POSITION MISCONCEIVED

DANNEYIRKF, Dec. 31

Mr A. AlcNieol, trustee of the Tasman flight fund, states that he has received, through the courtesy of Mr J. G. Coates, a cabled message from Mr S. M. Bruce, in which the latter stated that the Australian experts. after an exhaustive inquiry, recommended that the flight should not lie. attempted save' in a flying boat or a machine of the amphibian type, Air Bruce states that- his Government will take no steps to prohibit a flight authorised by the (New Zealand Government.

Mr McNicol says that the proposed flight is not authorised by the New Zealand Government, but the first step taken by the trustees was to have the assurance of the authorities here that the machine afforded a sufficient margin of safety. The hackers fully appreciated the motives of the Australian Government and had no desire to Recklessly risk the lives of the aviators. The first step taken by the trustees before ordering the machine was to receive an assurance from the New Zealand Director of the Air Service that it was thoroughly capable of the flight. The trustees further delayed ordering the machine until a cable message was received on September 22 from Air Bruce, through the New Zealand Government, stating that the Australian Government did not prohibit flights by aeroplane, though not favoring them, and would render every assistance to pilots approved by the New Zealand Government with an authorised machine. The airmen left this country equipped with all the necessary papers regarding themselves a net the machine to satisfy the Australian authorities. The Australian Government generously agreed to ■ permit the aeroplane in free of duty, providing it was nut of the country in six months.

Air ATcNicol states that -the position that lias now arisen throws the aviators on their own resources and this is unfair to them in view of the assurances formerly given. Air Afc-i Niro! has received a cable message from Lieut. Aloncrieff that the test flight was satisfactory and that lie is leaving with Captain Hood for Sydney on Sunday or Afonday.—P.A.

X.Z. C'OVERNAI ENT'S ARRANGE-

MENTS'TO STAND GOOD. DANNEVITJKK, Jan. 2

Air ATcNicol the trustee of the Tasman 'Flight (fund, states that lie has been in cable communication with the aviators during the week-end, but he has no statement to make beyond the fact that he has an assurance from Air. Coates that the arrangements made with the New Zealand Government ' for the flight stand good.— P.A.