THE FUTURE OF AVIATION

Manawatu Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 3492, 30 October 1926, Page 9

THE FUTURE OF AVIATION

Commercial Uses and Possibilities

IMMENSE PROGRESS SINCE 1923

[By Electric Cable—Copyright.] [Aust. and N.Z. Cable Association.] (Received Friday, 7.5 p.m.) LONDON, Oct. 28.

The full Conference devoted the morning session to the aviation reports of the Dominion delegates, to be issued to-morrow in full. Mr. MacKenzie King emphasised the great progress in the use ot aeroplanes for surveying and photgraphing unknown areas, and discovering and combating forest fires. Mr. Bruce detailed the amazing extension in Australia, where flying had long passed the experimental stage and become part of the country life. He said: “It is not more difficult to take an aeroplane In order to shorten my journey to England than to call a taxi." He paid a tribute to the aviators, Sir Ross and Sir Keith Smith, Parer and Macintosh, as well as to Cobham’s recent feat Mr. Coates admitted that New Zealand was somewhat backward in aviation. • Hitherto it had only been considered from the point of view of utility in defence of the country, and not as a commercial proposition. Sir Samuel Hoare pointed out that there was no technical reason why the journey to Canada should not be reduced ta two and a-half days, and to India five days, Capetown six, Australia eleven, and New Zealand thirteen. He emphasised the necessity of the erection of masts throughout the Empire, in readiness for airship service.

The discussion was officially described as bringing home the immense advance in flying since 1923, the Conference revealing an unanimous desire everywhere to assist in opening up inter-imperial air wise communication.