SOUTH AMERICA

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIX, 31 January 1936, Page 6

SOUTH AMERICA

VISIT BY DR P. MILLER INTERESTING ADDRESS TO NELSON ROTARY CLUB ''Having travelled extensively by air in South America, and since air transport is now developing rapidly in New Zealand, some account of the airways of the two Americans may be of some local interest/' said Dr. I). Miller, of the Cawthron Institute, in an address to the Rotary Club yesterday. "The airways of these countries have become a vast organisation. The route map of North America is a veritable network. and for all the world resembles a spider’s web enmeshing the continent from Alaska in the north in the Gulf of Mexico in the south. From this central net-work extend the encircling the Caribbean Sea and Central America as well as the east and west coasts of the South American continent. Not content with this vast field of operations, a new route lias been opened across the Pacific Ocean from Sail Francisco via Hawaii and other islands to Macao to the south of Ilong Kong in China, where a linkage is made with a coastal service to the north and inland. It is understood, too, that this Pacific service is to be extended to Australia, by way of New Zealand. On tlie other hand, South America is linked with Europe by air services, one of which is controlled by the French. There is a rapid mail service, and letters carried from Buenos Aires in the Argentine reach Paris three days later; in con junction with this service there are two supply ships stationed in the Atlantic Ocean, near the coast of South America and of South Africa respectively.” The speaker’s personal experience was confined to the Pan American Airways routes from the Panama Canal Zone to Santiago in Chile—along the west coast of South America—a flight of three and a half days, overnight stops being made at Guayaquil], Lima, and Antofagasta. It was of vpry great interest to locate from the air some of the regions he had traversed on land some five years before. It should be mentioned that the Grace Shipping Line, which has extensive interests m the west coast, has a controlling influence in the Pan American Airways in this region, where the airways arc known as the Pan American Grace Airways, or more usually by the abbreviation “Panagra.” It was the exigencies of the work upon which lie was engaged that turned Dr. Miller’s attention to the air; but it was with considerable trepidation that he finally decided to. undertake such a long flight of over 3,500 miles from the Canal to Santiago. Strangely enough, however, it was not long after the first take-off that this feeling of uncertainty was replaced by one of complete confidence inspired mainly by the personality of the pilots and by the comfort and service in the ’plane. Constant wireless communication is maintained with the land for navigation purposes, and for the convenience of passengers, while at each chair, which can be adopted as a bed, there is a supply of oxygen available for those in need of it at high altitudes. Except over tiie ocean, the flying altitude is approximately 12,0C0ft, and it'was not until lower altitudes over mountainous country that any blimps or sudden drops were experienced; it was then that the purser in attendance had to see that each passenger was strapped to his chair. Perhaps the most distressing influence when flying—except to those having a tendency to air-sickness—is the unbearable pain in the ears when the ’plane rapidly loses altitude.

POINTS OF HISTORIC INTEREST The first part of the journey.was covered by a dipper amphibian which accommodated forty passengers. This stage is mainly over the ocean, stops being made at certain air-ports, until finally Guayaquill was reached and there the night was spent by the speaker. During his visit there was an epidemic of bubonic plague in this city, so that he was relieved to take off again early next morning. On the way to Guayaquill lie located the Island of Gorgona where Pizzaro made a base from which he set out to conquer Peru in 1527. Another point of historic interest is the town of Tumbez, the first definite settlement of the Spaniards during the conquest.

REMAINS OF ANCIENT CIVILISATIONS From Guayaquill the rest of the journey was covered in -Douglas ’planes accommodating fourteen passengers. After leaving the latter city, the forested regions of the tropics give nlaee to monotonous desert that extends for about two thousand miles almost to the gates of Santiago. However, there are many features of interest to be seen when the coastal plain and foothills are not obscured by clouds. The dominant feature each day is the seemingly endless chain of the Andes, the main ridge of which is almost horizontal, broken here and there by towering snow-clad peaks and pinnacles. On the coastal plain one sees signs of modern industry—the great oil fields such as those at Talara, the vast areas of irrigated land clothed by cotton or sugar cane, and the officinas of tlie nitrate field.s. In other places the remains of the ancient Inca and pre-Inca civilisations—fortifications, cities, and terraced gardens on many a foothill—stand clearly embossed on the barren Ifincl that at 'some prehistoric time had been apparently deeply dissected by many a river and stream. On approaching Santiago the highl- fertile region of central Chile presents itself, and the whole country is seen to be under intense cultivation. At the Santiago air-port, which is of considerable extent and one of the best equipped in South America, Dr. Miller said he was really sorry that tlie flight was over, and experienced a certain desire to continue the journey in the awaiting Douglas ’plane clue to set out on its flight across the Ancles to Buenos Aires. Santiago, with its 930,000 inhabitants, is certainly the best city in western South America—or, to be more correct, the better city, since Lima is the only other worthy of the name. A feature that rather spoils Santiago is the congestion and din of the traffic; but it is a most picturesque place built on modern lines in a beautiful setting of parks and boulevards, the whole dominated by the Andes.

CHIEF INDUSTRIES The chief industries of Chile are mining and agriculture, though there is now considerable development of the secondary industries. Amongst the mineral products are nitrates, copper, silver, sulphur, borax, etc., and there are coal mines that produce sufficient for the needs of the country. The agricultural products are sufficient to support the population and for export; practically all vegetables and fruits are grown, and the wine industry is of vast importance. Of other crops there are extensive areas under wheat and barley, and tobacco holds a leading place; of live-stock, cattle, sheep and horses are reared on a large scale, the principal breeds of sheep being the Hampshire Down, and the Corriedale. Although in the far south there are large freezing works, practically all of the frozen mutton is exported lo Rritain and Europe. There has been some talk of opening a domestic market for frozen meat in mid-Chile, but the” lack of refrigerating space on steamers trading to Magellanes is a drawback. Indeed

there is only one steamer with suitable appliances, but space for only a few carcases. In any case, all the cool stores at Valparaiso and Santiago are utilised for the storage of fruit. A great deal of the agricultural land, even where wheat is grown, is under irrigation, but though the production is high, the farming methods in most parts of the south are not carried out on scientific lines. Amongst the farmers’ difficulties is the fight against weeds, insect pests and diseases (on a much greater scale than in New Zealand) as well as tlie lack of a better understanding of the use of fertilisers. The State authorities arc alive to this, and have inaugurated research institutions, while a great amount of help is being given by private institutes such as the Bunster Agricultural Coiiege at Angol, an institute funded bv the Methodist Church of the United States. PRO-ETHIOPIAN FEELING In regard to the Italian war, the feeling throughout Chile is decidedly proEthiopian. In a press leader apropos my visit this was taken to point the remarks. It was said that prior to my arrival as little was known of New Zealand as was known of Ethopia before the Italians took action ; and that Chilean parasites were being shipped to Now Zealand to slay insect pests in their thousands just as the Ethiopians were doing to the Italians ! It was of interest to note, too, concluded Dr. Miller, the opinion was expressed in Air Force and Army circles to the effect that the British Dominions and colonies were awaiting Britain to become embroiled in a European war when there would be a general revolt.