AIR TRANSPORT CONTROL.

Taranaki Daily News, 6 August 1934, Page 4

AIR TRANSPORT CONTROL.

Speaking generally, there is wisdom in the Government’s proposal to set up control of air transport at an early date. The Bill submitted by the Minister of Finance, the Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates, is certainly not the last word on the subject, but the principle it contains, namely, that commercial aviation must stand apart from military, though -in close cooperation with any national defence plans, will be generally approved. Mr. Coates was justified in saying that it will be easier to build up a satisfactory form of control while commercial aviation is in its infancy than to wait until more or less vested interests have been created. What has to be avoided, however, is the control that will retard enthusiasm and enterprise in commercial flying. Considering all the circumstances, the development of aviation throughout the Dominion during the past few years has been remarkable. Finance has been difficult for aero clubs and local authorities. Yet they have succeeded in establishing services and in affording many opportunities for the training of pilots. Whether the control of air transport should be left to the existing central transport authorities is a matter upon which there will be many opinions. Mr. Coates has intimated willingness to hear the views of aero clubs and others interested in aviation, and if their cooperation is obtained a serviceable form of control should be evolved. There appears no particular urgency for the legislation, and it is of a nature that should not be accepted by Parliament in a hurry. There is no political issue or policy involved, and most people agree that air travel must soon take its place among the established transport services of the Dominion. Proper control of the new service is necessary, and the means of obtaining it are likely to be the better if they are evolved after full consultation with those most intimately concerned.