DISTANCE FLIGHTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21399, 25 January 1933, Page 9

DISTANCE FLIGHTS

BEARING on next war WARNING TO DOMINIONS PARIS, Jan. 20 Speaking of the latest achievement of Mrs. Mollism (formerly Miss Amy Johnson) in flying from England to Capetown •- and back, M. Rene Fonck, famous French war ace, says: " I have always held Mrs. Mollison in high esteem as a serious rival ■ to the best pioneers of long-distance flights. "Her laiest achievement is in keeping with her first, the famous flight to Australia. It in in marked contrast to many of the mrch-talked-of flights made by American ,-omen, which were not serious affairs at all, but merely publicity stunts intended tc obtain limelight for neurotic women.

" Mrs. Mollison's achievements point the way to great commercial advantages for Australia, South Africa, * and other parts of ths great British Empire. But do

not let the bright side of the picture permit us to forget that the lessons of her great achievements will be exploited for war purposes with even greater keenness than for commercial ends.

" Already I know the German technicians in military aviation have settled down to a serious study of the bearing of what she lias accomplished on aerial warfare in th{; future.

"One of the safest predictions to maka is that when next the British Empire is involved in a European war, Australia, South Africa, and the other self-govern-ing units of the Empire will not, hav» their war experience limited to contribute ing fighting men. " As the direct outcome of the achievements of Mrs. Mollison, the next war will be brought homo to every inhabitant of these great States by means.of bombing machines which will follow the trail Mrs. Moll son has so courageously blazed through the airways. " Most certainly they will be "subject to attack from the air in the next war,and it is imperative that the^best-minds of those thinking out schemes of national defence shauld be directed at once to anticipating tliis new peril to your peoples overseas." '