AIRCRAFT BOOM

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22197, 26 August 1935, Page 11

AIRCRAFT BOOM

BRITISH FIRMS BUSY RAPID TRAFFIC INCREASE CONGESTION AT CROYDON By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received August 25. 6.35 p.m.) LONDON. Aug. 25 The Sunday Times says the British aircraft industry is enjoying the biggest boom in its history. Statistics issued to-day reveal that the passenger and freight traffic of Imperial Airways increased 50 per cent in the first three months of 1935, while mails doubled. The value of aircraft exports is the highest recorded. The airport at Croydon is congested with traffic, as many as 200 aeroplanes having arrived and departed in a single day. It is increasingly difficult to find sufficient qualified pilots to cope with the expanding traffic. PROGRESS IN BRITAIN "BEST IN AVIATION" REPLY TO CRITICISM LONDON, Aug. 16 In a letter to the Times Sir Macpherson Piobertson, of Melbourne, promoter of the Centenary air race, says that the British public are allowing themselves to be misled by a systematic campaign of the depreciation of British aviation. The campaign, he says, dates from the Centenary race. Holland's achievement was magnificent, but why, he asks, should the fact that a British machine came first be overlooked ? The critics seem to be bewitched by American aviation, says Sir Macpherson. Tjiev ignore the fact that it- is costing the United States taxpayers millions a year. British aviation, considering the international complexities surrounding its expansion, is the best, sa f est and most economical in the world. It maintains the longest routes and the best machines. Its administrative policy is sound. Civilisation should base its expansion not on wild attempts t<? cut scheduled times but on regularity, reliability and CGmfort. Refusal to recognise the facts of Britain's achievement must damage iti the eyes of the world the products, enterprise and personnel of her aircraft industries. Sir Macpherson adds: " Let ns view contemporary aviation in the right perspective and cease championing the lesser achievements of other countries."