CIVIL AVIATION.

Manawatu Times, Volume XLII, Issue 1764, 16 March 1921, Page 5

CIVIL AVIATION.

LINKING THE EMPIRE, [By Electric Cable—Copyright.] [Aust. and N.Z. Cable Association.] (■Received Tuesday 5.5 p.m.) LONDON. March 14. General Sir Frederick Sykes, addressing the Institute of Transport, said that no British civilian air service had been established, though France was extending hers, and Germany had made a start, notwithstanding the restrictions imposed by the Peace Treaty. Referring to the naval prospects, Sir Frederick Sykes said: “There is every Indication that a torpedo attack by aircraft may reach a point where the existence of giant capital ships will be Jeopardisedin fact, the whole question of capital ships is under consideration. At the outbreak of a future war, we may expect to see huge day and night bombers penetrating the enemy’s country, seeking to obtain supremacy of the air. There are vast fields for the expansion of aircraft in the British Empire. The great distances in Australia, Africa, and Canada arc very suitable for air transport, and may prove more economical than the construction of railways. From the standpoint of Imperial inter-commun-ications, commerce and strategical security, it is extremely important that civil aviation should bo encouraged throughout the Empire. The Dominions and Colonies are faced by many' problems, and an Imperial scheme, on a large scale, is beyond the Empire’s resources, but if enterprises are commenced, as practical undertakings on a small scale, in each self-governing Dominion or Colony, they should be able to be co-ordin-ated on an Imperial basis by linking up with the nearest portions of the Empire.”