DEVELOPMENT OF FLYING

Taranaki Daily News, 11 October 1928, Page 8

DEVELOPMENT OF FLYING

SIR JOHN SALMOND’S VIEWS MUCH OF THE COUNTRY SUITABLE. MOTHS BEST FOR CLUB PURPOSES. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Oct. 10. Interviewed to-day Sir John Salmond said he could not see where the argument that New Zealand was not a flying country eame in. There was magnificent flying country in parts, notably in Canterbury. The North Island seemed less suitable than the South, but all that was needed was a few organised landing grounds for emergencies and none of the country was so bad that these could not be provided. At first sight the country might seem more suited for seaplanes, but probably it was not so really. For seaplanes it was essential to have good sheltered anchorages, but to obtain ideal conditions for these was by no means easy. The operation of seaplanes was expensive and demanded skilled organisation. Slipways, for instance, had to be constructed. For clubs planes of the Moth type were what was wanted. In regard to commercial flying lie thought the bridging of the gap between the North and South Islands would soon be done by air, as was the case with Britain aud the Continent. Air services across the Tasman would come in time. On the subject of the development of aviation for defence purposes he would say nothing at present. He would be making a report for the Government before he left Auckland, which he intends to do by the Niagara on October 23.