Manawatu Evening Standard. MONDAY, JAN. 23, 1939. AIR DEVELOPMENTS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIX, Issue 46, 23 January 1939, Page 6

Manawatu Evening Standard. MONDAY, JAN. 23, 1939. AIR DEVELOPMENTS.

The spectacular advances in the use of aircraft for defence in the past few years, and even within the last twelve months, have created fresh problems and opened up enormous possibilities. Development of speedy machines capable of conveying large numbers of troops, concurrently with the production of agile fighter aeroplanes, has added a new chapter to the story of aviation as it is expressed in terms of war, and the comparison with 1914-18, when the new science was developed not without misgivings, is astounding. The speed factor —the farthest outpost is within three days . of Ixindon —has weighed heavily with the experts, and it has become increasingly apparent that upon the disposition of fighting units will in large measure depend the fate of any future engagements. Just as the Atlantic and Mediterranean Fleets have patrolled their own seas, so to a vastly greater degree can squadrons of fighting aircraft maintain a watchful eye over great areas of land and water. From the heart of the Empire, down into Africa, througdi India, across to Australia and home again a patrol can he conducted with a degree of efficiency that is the envy of other nations. But the fact is obvious that efficiency in the air does not of itself solve all the problems. Adequate bases with servicing facilities, and the provision of reserve machines are indispensable adjuncts of the modern fighting force, and there must be sources of supply to remedy losses. Centralisation, if ever it really existed in this particular field, is no longer feasible, and it is in recognition of this fact that an Air Mission is visiting New Zealand and Australia in March. Coming to the Dominion at the direct request of the Government, according to Sir Kingsley Wood, the Air Mission’s visit is immensely significant and provides further proof of complete Imperial unity in matters of defence. It marks, too, a new departure in policy, exemplified to a degree by the purchase of aircraft in Canada and the United States, for it means that Great Britain has definitely decided that the Dominions themselves, must, if at all possible, contri-1 bute to the common task of de-

fence by producing their own machines. Already in Australia the manufacture of aircraft has reached definite proportions, but Hie supply is by no means larg'e enough to meet the requirements of the position. A situation has been visualised whereby replacements from Home, even if they could be spared, might lie quite I impossible from the strategical | point of view, and if the Southern Dominions can provide the resources and man-power to fill the breach a considerable burden will be lifted from the shoulders of the authorities in Britain. The Prime Minister has promised that good use will be made of the occasion thus offered to obtain e.xl>ert advice with the object of ensuring that the Dominion shall stand on her own feet in the event of isolation through war. The development is bound up with the greater issue of the defence of the Pacific, which is recognised as offering even more difficulties than elsewhere, and the measure of success that attends the investigations of the Air Mission will be reflected to no small degree in the line to be taken in safeguarding Imperial interests and co-operating with other friendly Powers in the Pacific ring.