AIRSHIP SERVICES

New Zealand Times, Volume L, Issue 11656, 22 October 1923, Page 3

AIRSHIP SERVICES

FIRST STAGE: 81-WEEKLY RUfffYICE TO INDIA. DISCUSSION AT CONFERENCE. By Telegraph—Pres Assn—Copyright. Renters Telegram. (Received October 21, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, October 21. Sir Samuel Hoare, Secretary for Air, this afternoon addrfeood the Economic Conference, and dwelt; on the rapid growth of commercial aeroplane services. He outlined the first stage of the Imperial airship services:—First, the production of a suitable airftlip; second, a bi-weekly service to India; and third, the commissioning of six airships of a capacity of 5,000,000 cubic feet. The various dominion delegates raised criticisms, upon which it was decided to appoint a committee to discuss the whole question of the Burney scheme with the Air Ministry, while the dominion will consider technical and other special matters with the Air Ministry. Mr L. O. M. 8. Amery, First Lord of the Admiralty, said he believed the airship had reached the stage when its success was assured. He pointed out the speed with which airships could now be built. DOWN TO BEDROCK. In the opinion of the dominion representatives. to-day’s meeting was occupied by one of the most important discussions of any Conference. The conferences got down to bedrock in dealing with vital questions, and much ground was cleared, hot th© time for decisions was not reached. The outstanding features of the week have been the Tree interchange of views on naval, military, and air defence. The discussions so far have shown that the dominions find much room for improvement as regards communications, but compared with the previous Conferences, the dominion delegates are satisfied that much valuable work is in Hie course of completion . There is not a single question on which general agreement does not exist between the overseas members.