EMPIRE AIR SERVICES.

Taranaki Daily News, 8 June 1932, Page 4

EMPIRE AIR SERVICES.

The reported decision to make Singa pore an important airport is a demonstration of the broad view that is bcni,, taken in Great Britain of Empne ai services. It is proof that the trade of Eastern Asia and of the Dominions “south of the line” is recognised, as worth holding and seeking, for communication facilities are one or ie greatest attributes to trade development. That Singapore should be chosen as the new central airport, is not suiprising. Geographically it is the most suitable of British possessions. It breaks the long oversea stage between the Indian peninsula and Australia. It is a colony in which there is no biatne difficulty to contend with, and it owes its development entirely to British capital, enterprise and good goyernnlen . For communication with China and Japan the route via Singapore has the advantage of avoiding the perilous ,l oul " ney over the Siberian steppes and ot linking the services with those to India and Australia. Though economic difficulties make immediate action impossible, it is quite evident that New Zealand must, sooner or later, take her part in the development of air transport. The difficulties here are admittedly greater than those which obtain m Australia. Research and equipment have a good way to go before an air sei vice across the Tasman Sea can be established oi’ regarded as anything but a perilous adventure. Nevertheless, eveiy year sees further development of transport by air, and problems that were once held impossible of solution are now regarded merely as conditions for which due preparation can be . made. The establishment of a linking-up air station at Singapore should mean a good deal to Australia and New Zealand. With proper co-ordination it would mean a series of short journeys between them and Great Britain instead of the exceedingly costly and dangerous long distance rups. Much has been done in this direction so far as the services to India are concerned, though little is heard of it in comparison with the “record-breaking” and other spectacular long-distance efforts. Air transport has taken a definite place in travel services, and any development which will make it easier for the Dominion to profit by it is certainly to be welcomed.