CIVIL AVIATION

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVII, Issue 10850, 16 March 1921, Page 6

CIVIL AVIATION

AN EMPIRE CHAIN WHAT BRITAIN AND "HER DOMINIONS COULD DO. VIEWS’ OF GENERAL SYKES. By Telegraph-Press Assn. — Copyright (Received March 15, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, March 14. General Sir Frederick Sykes, addressing the Institute of Transport, said that no British civilian air services had been established, though Franco was extending hers and Germany had made a start, notwithstanding the restrictions imposed by tho Peace Treaty.' Referring to naval prospects, he said that there was every indication that torpedo attack by aircraft may reach a point where the existence of giant capital ships would be jeopardised; in fact, the whole question of capital ships was under consideration. At tho outbreak of a future war wo may expect to see huge day and night bombers penetrating the enemy’s country, seeking to obtain supremacy of the air.

There were vast fields for the expansion of aircraft in the British Empire. Tho great distances in Australia, Africa, and Canada were very suitable for air transport, and may prove more economical than the construction of railway’s. From the standpoint of Imperial inter-communications, commerce, and strategical security, it was extremely important that civil aviation should ho encouraged throughout the Empire.

The Dominions and colonies were faced by many problems, and an Imperial scheme oft a large scale was beyond the Empire's resources, but if enterprises were commenced as practical undertakings on a small scale in each self-governing Dominion' or colony they should be able to be co-ordinated on an Imperial basis by linking up with the nearest portions of tho Empire. , y GIGANTIC FLYING SHIPS THE THAMES TcTnEW YORK INFORTY HOURS. Pnbliflbod in “Tito Time. ” (Received March 16. 11.35 a.m.) LONDON, March 14. Plans have been drawn up for gigantic, transatlantic flying ships, driven by four thousand horse-power engines. They will be luxuriously fitted for a hundred passengers. Starting from the Thames, they will be capable of reaching New York in forty hours.