RECORD IN THE AIR

Taranaki Daily News, 28 November 1934, Page 10

RECORD IN THE AIR

PROMISE OF the future.

GOVERNOR-GENERAL’S REVIEW.

“New Zealand justly and proudly-ex-

tblS the adventurous courage of her \ early pioneer settlers. The New Zealand aetO clubs majr justifiably pride themselves Upon being pioneers in what promises to be. in days to come the fastest, safest arid most popular? means of transport, as Well as the Surest, safeguard against national invasion,” said the Governor-General, when opening the-an-nual meeting of the New Zealand -aeroClubs in Wellington on Friday. - "Although it must frankly be admitted,” Said Lord Bledisloe, “that there, hah not, at least until recently, been in New Zealand- any widespread enthusiasm about aviation', or a full realisation of its Vital importance to the welfare of the community, it cannot be dented that in tile matter both of influential and generous encouragement of the art and of exceptional initiative/ daring and skill dh the part of individual practitioners, this Dominion has good reason for Congratulation ami pride. ' • f Sir Henry wiGrAm’s ■ Prescience. “Outstanding among its generous and far-sighted patrons was Sir Henry Wig-: ram, whose death we must all deeply deplore. Were he alive to-day he Would certainly be gratified by the present emphatic justification of his prescient and patriotic Wisdom.’* His Excellency referred to various flidrs Who have recently distinguished themselves in the Centenary air race and in other flights between England and s' Australia and across the Tasman. “It is to be hoped that with improved aircraft, -with every provision for safety, and with the gradual substitution of crude oil for petrol, civil aviation will henceforward make giant strides in this Dominion,” continued Lord Bledisloe. “By reason of its shape and conformation there is no country in the Empire which is more clamantly Ih need of this mode of travel for its internal inter-communication and its progressive development, alike from an industrial and a tourist standpoint. The availability of civilian aircraft and of trained pilots will, moreover, afford an incalculable measure of national security in the possible event of hostile interference on the part of an enemy from overseas. CO-ORDINATION OF TRANSPORT. “Just as co-operation and co-ordina-tion between the Navy and the Air Force are essential to national safety, so cooperation and co-ordination between pasvessel, 3?ail\Vay, road and aircraft have become essential to New Zealand travel and the due exploitation and opening up to the world of her incomparable beauty spots. ' , “A national and properly co-ordinated aircraft Service inevitably depends upon. the due provision of suitable aerodromes. It is pleasant to record that in Marc.i of this year a start was made on the systematic planning of air route and aerodrome development. The necessary organisation has been set up,, the main air routes defined, and possible airports, aerodromes and emergency landing grounds on or adjacent to those routes inspected. Up to the present more than 100 sites have been submitted for inspection. over 90 inspected and over 30 surveyed. On more than 20 of these construction has commenced, while several more are almost ready to put in hand,”