BY AIR TO AUSTRALIA

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 10545, 23 March 1920, Page 3

BY AIR TO AUSTRALIA

AEROPLANE FLIGHT COMMENTS BY POSTMASTERGENERAL. Referring yesterday to thq project of an aeroplane flight between Aew Zealand and Australia, the Hon. J. G. Coates, Postmaster-General, who > s conducting a series of experiments in regard to aerial mail services in the Dominion, stated that such a trip could not ho undertaken by tho machines we have at present in New Zealand. “la the first place,” he explained, “tho engines in the machines we already have are not powerful enough to cover a journey between hero and Sydney. It is not bo much tho weather conditions that prevail across the Tasman Sea. An aeroplane could easily withstand these; but the power ,of tho engines and the storage capacity for benzine are, as I understand them, the most vital requirements for a trip of the kind to be made. I must say that for a New Zealand machine with a New Zealander as pilot to successfully cover a run to Australia would bo a splendid achievement for this country, and it is a project I am willing to give every assistance to bring about. But, as 1 say, wo have to get the machine, and this would” not bo a difficult matter. AGENTS AND EXPERTS ACTIVE. “Agents and experts acting for British and French aeroplane manufacturers seem just now to be almost as keen to do business with this country as are tho representatives in New Zealand soliciting business for motorcars. Within the last few weeks several representatives—many with air service during the war—of overseas aeroplane firms have interviewed me, championing the reliability of tho machines of their firms for mail and other services in New Zealand. The elaborate prospectuses produced are worth perusal, and it amounts to this, that aeroplane building for commercial utilities is rapidly under way; and, consequently, in the not very distant future commercial machines will be at work in all enterprising countries in the world. _ I propose submitting to the Prime Minister and possibly to Cabinet, the whole question of air services in New Zealand with tho object of ascertaining tho Government’s intentions in regard to such services. Lately I have had submitted to me, as Acting-Minister for Defence, two very interesting reports dealing with aviation. One of the reports is prepared by the Controller-General of British Civil Aviation, and tho other contains tho results of the American Aviation Mission which visited England, France and Italy. Among the considerations and conclusions of the British report the following is of interest:

LONG-DISTANCE AERIAL MAILS. “The carriage ef mails promises to be one of the most important and regular demands which can servo to develop civil aviation, and to place aerial transport concerns on a firm footing. The future of aerial mail services lies on those routes where a material saving of time can be effected so that a definite commercial advantage may bo obtained- . . . The Postmaster-General is doubtful whether the demand for express mails during the daytime between the more distant towns in the United Kingdom is likely to bo sufficiently extensive to meet the considerable expense of running such a service for mails only. But if commercial services were established for passengers and goods, the opportunity .would bo taken to utilise them for express letters. ' “The lino of development of aerial mails would seem to lie more on the Continental and Imperial routes where tho long distances give more scope for the element of .speed. For example, in normal times the ordinary time of transit by railway is 36 hours to Turin, 43 hours to Rome, 23 hours to Berlin, 53 hours to Christiania, and 24 hours to Berno. OVer such distances tho potential saving by aerial transport is considerable: It such acceleration could be obtained, and regularity of service kept • up, sufficient correspondence might bo attracted to enable the extra fee to be fixed at ja relatively small figure. "When regular services to extraEuropean countries become practicable tho gain in time will be still more marked.

“The more such services can he brought into being,' the larger is the area over which tlho overhead charges are spread, and the lower becomes the coat of each additional service, which automatically produces an Increased demand for such services on routes whore high cost has hitherto negatived the desire for speed.” The report goes on to recommend direct Government subsidies, as was done by Franco, to properly launch tfie air services. WHAT BRITAIN IS DOING. The American report Is a much more lengthy document than the British report, and the mission covers a wider range in its investigations. The American report states; “Great Britain’s plan of organisation certainly warrants our most careful consideration. . . . It is not argued that the British method is perfect, but it can bo stated without tear of contradiction in any quarter, that it stands to-day the most comprehensive Governmental mechanism yet set up by any nation in the world for the encouragement, upbuilding, direction and control of air resources. This organisation has been born of five hitter years of trial, mistake, experience, and progress. It is the product of the best brains in the British Empire focussed under the spur of national need and the demand of the British people. We in America may well study it carefully.” MARVELLOUS PROGRESS. ‘‘The development of aviation is progressing so rapidly at this time that it is difficult oven for those in close touch with it to keep up with its progress. During the past two months the Atlantic has been crossed four times by aircraft; first, by a seaplane of the American Navy;’ second, by an airplane of Great Britain, and finally by an airship of Great Britain which has twico demonstrated its ability to fly between England and America. All of this has been accomplished without the loss of a single life Airships are now building in England ■which will be able to carry from five to ten tons of mail, in addition to the necessary fuel and crew, and cross the Atlantic from liondon to New York, in one half the time made by tiro fastest steamships. Who can say such transportation ■facilities will not greatly serve civilisation, and bo of immeasurable value to our own country if properly developed and used