AIR SERVICE PUNS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23272, 15 February 1939, Page 12

AIR SERVICE PUNS

Welcome evidence of the Government's determination to provide full modern facilities for the operation of the Tasman air service is contained in the announcement by the Postmaster-General, Mr. Jones, regarding the establishment of radio and meteorological aids. These modern developments are essential to the progress of commercial aviation; indeed such expert air navigators as Captain Burgess and the late Captain Musick have said that air services across the oceans would be impossible without them. In this particular respect, the long delay in inaugurating the Tasman service may prove to have its benefits. Shortage of suitable aircraft has been mainly responsible, but in the meantime there has been opportunity, both in Australia and New Zealand, to study the latest developments in radio technique and in meteorological science so that the service will start with the most modern ground organisation available. The plans approved for radio installations appear to be gratifyingly complete- and a start has already been made with the collection of weather data by expert observers. Mr. Jones promises that all the necessary facilities will be available by June of this year and the way will then be clear for Auckland's growth as one of the great air junctions of the world. The new Empire flying boats will soon be on their way to Sydney for the Tasman service and before long the giant Boeing of Pan American Airways should be roaring over the Pacific along the aerial route so heroically pioneered by Kingsford Smith, Ulin and Musick. It is only right that the new radio centre at East Tamaki, a guide to all overseas aircraft, should bo known as the Musick Memorial Station, and it is to .be hoped that, in the development of the services, some way will also be found of perpetuating the memory of the two Australians whoso first Pacific flight was probably the greatest of all time.