IN TWELVE DAYS

Southland Times, Issue 19896, 15 June 1926, Page 7

IN TWELVE DAYS

TO N.Z. IMPERIAL AIRWAYS’ PROGRESS APPEAL TO DOMINIONS. (By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright.) London, June 13. The progress of aviation under Government auspices was described by Sir Samuel Hoare (Secretary of State for Air) at a luncheon of the British Empire League. He said he considered that three main lines of development should be pursued, and suggested a route via India, which should be reached in four days, Australia in 10 days, New Zealand in 12. Capetown should be reached in six days. These would be the great Empire trunk lines, from which smaller lines would radiate, linking up the colonies. Sir Samuel Hoare appealed to the dominions’ and colonies’ representatives to do their utmost to maintain landing grounds. A regular passenger and traffic line would be running between Cairo and Karachi not later than January 1 next. Passengers were already being booked, and the actual construction of airships was beginning. Two airships were being built by the Government and the Airship Guarantee Company, initiated by Commander Burney. All the work on the Egyptian base would be finished by the end of December. Equally great progress was being made at Karachi. The Minister suggested that the dominion governments, in their own interests, should build masts to take these airships. Personally he was convinced that once the Cairo-Karachi air service was in operation there would be an irresistible demand for its extension to Singapore. In giving an optimistic description of the construction of the two great airships, Sir Samuel Hoare emphasised the fact that they could not fly to the dominions unless mooring posts were erected. He suggested that the dominions, in their own interests as much as those of the Empire, should each build masts to enable flights to be made to South Africa, Australia and New Zealand. If these were erected immediately they would enable flights to be made as soon as the ships were completed. The Minister emphasised the immense political advantage in shortening the time that would be taken by Prime Ministers proceeding to London for the purpose of attending conferences and consultations.—Reuter.