SAVING ON AVIATION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21130, 12 March 1932, Page 11

SAVING ON AVIATION.

BRITISH ESTIMATES.

EFFICIENCY OF SERVICES.

MAINTENANCE ASSURED. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. (Ileceived Marcli 11, G. 5 p.m.) British Wireless. RUGBY, March 10. In submitting tlio Air Estimates in the House of Commons to-day tho UnderSecretary of State for Air, Sir Philip Sassoon, said the total of £17,400.000 showed a reduction of £700,000. This was the department's contribution to (he urgent requirements of the financial situation. The saving had been effected without permanently impairing the high standard of efficiency in the air services.

Sir Philip said the experience gained in making winning machines and engines for the Schneider trophy contests had been of real value in the designing of new equipment for (ho Air Force. The result was that, although reckoned by size alone the force took only fifth place among the Air Forces of fho world, it had tlio satisfaction of knowing that no other Air Force was better equipped and that nowhere was the standard of training and efficiency so high. He warned the House that to maintain that standard more money would be required in future years than was asked for in the present | estimates. Services Linking the Empire. J Tn regard to civil aviation, Sir Philip | said Britain had avoided giving air ; transport excessive State assistance. She i had followed the plan of encouraging air | transport to " flv by itself." ! Proposals were on foot for bringing ! into operation another 12.000 miles of I Empire routes and when that had been i done the Empire would possess more than i 37,000 miles of organised air routes. Tho map of the world was being steadily and methodically covered by air seri vices, primarily opened by tlio Air Force i and followed by regular civil services. The S London-Capetown mail service was another step in the establishment of the 1 network of Imperial air routes which would one day link all parts of the Empire. Flying-boats Going to Darwin. Three Southampton flying-boats were : to leave Singapore next Tuesday on a • training flight to Port Darwin. Tho country could not afford to maintain tho RIOO, said Sir Philip. The Government was keeping a nucleus of its personnel, which was watching airship development throughout tho world. It would con- ! duct a modest programme of experiments, i When the financial position improved the i organisation could be set in motion with a minimum of delay.

Sir Philip said he was glad the Schneider trophy contests were over. Britain was going to keep the trophy, but the contests had become too dangerous. The estimates were carried.