AERIAL DEFENCE

Southland Times, Issue 19172, 16 February 1924, Page 5

AERIAL DEFENCE

BRITAIN’S NECESSITY, “THE TIME FOR ACTION.” (By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright.) (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) LONDON, February 14. Commander Burney, M.P., speaking at Cambridge, said the British Empire required the equivalent for the great trunk railways of America; also a profit-earning and consequently self-supporting aerial navy which would be free of charge to the taxpayer. Therefore, the Government should provide all constructional facilities for operating bases in time of emergency. For two years the British Government had been toying with the idea of giving some measure of State assistance to an Imperial airships line. It was time action was taken, as other Governments were acting while ours talked. He hoped Lord Thomson’s verbal support of airships would be translated into vigorous action. DEFENCE OF LONDON. A COMPREHENSIVE SCHEME. LONDON, February 14. The aeronautical correspondent of the Daily Chronicle describes a great scheme to make London the most perfect air defended city in the world. He says land for a ring of aerodromes encircling London has been purchased and armament firms are devising a large number of high speed aeroplanes, fitted with devices for night flying combined with movement in the dark with a precision previously impossible, so that defence may no longer depend upon searchlights and anti-aircraft guns. No devices will be suspended high in the air. A wonderful control chain has also been created, including a huge map of London defences, electrically connected with a series of great sound-locating machines. Lamps on the map will flash up as attackers appear over any section of the map and tiny trails of light will pass across the map indicating the movements of hostile squadrons. THE BURNEY SCHEME. THE GOVERNMENTS INTENTIONS. LONDON, February 15. (Received February 15, 8 p.m.) Commenting on the fears expressed that the Government was absconding with the Burney airship scheme, the Daily News points out that the whole Cabinet favours air development by the Air Ministry which is concerned because of its subsidy involved. Lord Thomson (Secretary of State for Air) informed the Daily News that he would do everything possible to expedite legislation, although unaware of the Cabinet’s attitude on the matter.