VALUE OF FLYING.

Taranaki Daily News, 22 December 1923, Page 5

VALUE OF FLYING.

IMPORTANCE TO BRITAIN, XIO LONGER INSULAR. FRANCE’S SUPERIORITY, By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright. New York, Dec. 20. Group Captain Christie, air attache to the British Navy, gave a dinner to the Duke of Sutherland, Under-Secre-tary to the Air Ministry, who is visiting the United States. The Duke of Sutherland said the British Empire should appreciate the value of flying more than anybody, because the Empire strength lies in the Dominions, which require quick intercommunication and the safety of Imperial trade routes. Aviation had ended Britain’s insularity. She was now. part of Continental Europe, like France and Germany. Through air defence and commercial flying Britain proposes to link the Dominions together, just as Britain i- linked to the Contenent. Britain regards flying as essential to commerce and shipping, and looks upon air rivalry as commercial competition. The Duke denied that he said Britain was two years behind the United States in commercial aviation, but Britain did abandon lighter-than-air craft two years ago for the sake of economy. She was now revising her plans. As regards aeroplanes, Britain was equal to any country, except France. In commercial aviation, Britain probably excelled the I nited State?, because of the Government subsidies, which would be withdrawn ten years hence, when the industry would probably be self-supporting.