CIVIL AVIATION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25306, 17 August 1943, Page 2

CIVIL AVIATION

POST-WAR IMPORTANCE “ OPEN AIRCRAFT BASES ” (Air Mai!) SYDNEY, July 30. " I feel that the- time is approaching when the country that leads the world in the air will occupy the same preeminent position as the country that before the war was pre-eminent in the mercantile marine,” said Mr D. McVey, secretary of the Department of Aircraft Production, at a luncheon of the New South Wales Institute of Journalists. The re-establishment of the Empire in its proper place in the international theatre depended on realistic foresightedness in preparing for civil air development, he added. He did not believe that the holding of bases for aircraft would alone be sufficient. He visualised freedom of the air, as there had been freedom of the seas, with craft of all nations free to enter all airports on the payment of dues. ... While all credit was due to America for her remarkable development of aircraft. manufacture and air routes, Britain could have done as much but for her more immediate preoccupation with the European battle theatre. American mass production of aircraft was on a colossal scale, but Britain’s reputation for thoroughness, advanced design, and flexibility of production to suit changing war needs was unequalled. Mr McVey praised the spirit of the people of Britain, and particularly the women, during war years. In aircraft factories, for example, women were doing men’s work . with undiminished energy and courage. In underground and hillside factories many of them never saw the sun from week-end to week-end.