TWO FAMOUS AIRMEN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21098, 4 February 1932, Page 6

TWO FAMOUS AIRMEN.

iLOpKING FOR EMPLOYMENT. KINGSFORD SMITH'S PLANS. K MAN CANNOT LIVE ON AIR." '[raOM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT. ] ; ' SYDNEY. Jan. 28. It is surely a reflection on Australia that, no positions can be found for its two most famous air sons—Kingsford Smith, hero of many a flight, and Arthur Butler, who is the holder of the Eng-land-Australia air record. Mr. Butler's case is the most serious. He said in Melbourne the other day:— ?'I, have tried everywhere to find work and I am willing to go outside aviation if a, job is available, but there is nothing doing." Butler does not, even possess the areoplane in which he made his record flight.. That was loaned to him and has now been returned to its owners. So far, he added, he had been able to keep off the dole, but he would not be able to manage that for much longer. Ee would go to England if he could, but he has been unable to raise the passage money.

"I would like to have kept the aeroplane in which I made the record," Mr. Butler said, "but I could not afford to buy it. My future is naturally bound tip with flying, but a man cannot live on air. and until flying comes good again I am willing to work at anything." Kingsford Smith's Position. Air-Commodore Kingsford Smith, just back from his remarkable mail flight from Australia to London and back, says that if a job cannot be found for him in Australia, he will accept one of the many offers he has received in England and [America. Kingsford Smith said that if the Federal Government did not accept the proposals for subsidising the aerial mail services of Australian National Airways, in which he has invested most of his money, the company will go into .voluntary liquidation. The company could not hold out any longer, and when it ceased to operate he would be out of A job. "I am for hire to do any sort of an aviation job," he said. "If my country does not want me, I will take ;the hint and fly away." Referring to his company, Mr. Kingslord Smith said:—We ask the Government to accept a half-share in our paid-up capital, representing over £2r0,000, and subsidise our regular Australian inter-State-air services to the extent of Is a mile, and guarantee a bank overdraft of £16,000 to £30,000 so that we may reorganise. Alternatively, we ask the Government to subsidise 3s 3d n mile one of the three routes to link with Imperial 'Airways—Darwin to Delhi, Darwin to Rangoon or Darwin to Singapore, against 6s asked by the British company." It is explained that tha last Australia to London and back flight resulted in a small profit, but the expenses were very Jjigh—about £2OOO. The Famous Southern Cross. In the meantime Mr. Kingsford Smith has'purchased Mr. C. T. P. Ulm's share in the famous Southern Cross and every day since his return from London he has been busy with passenger flights over Sy'dney. -The honour of flying with the famous "Smithy" appeals to many people and his aeroplane is usually crowded. However, the novelty is bound to wear off sooner or later. When this time arrives, he will visit all the other States in the hope of engaging in the joy-riding business. It is even mooted that he will fly the Tasman again in order that he might visit all the principal towns in New Zealand.