AVIATION.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12775, 20 October 1919, Page 3

AVIATION.

MAYNARD WINS.

XEAV YORK, October 18. A Mineola message announces tho arrival of Chaplain Maynard, who thus wins the Trans-Continental air race. In a statement he said that his trip demonstrated that a battle-plane fleet could be sent Jrom coast to coast in two and a half di* Vs.

IMPORTANCE OF AERIAL

DEFENCE

NFA\ YORK, October 17. The New York “ Times ’ Washington correspondent says the Assistant Secrcv M ar, Crowell, testifying before the Senate Military Committee, pointed cut that Britain was far ahead or the rest of the world in aviation development. Ho adviser! that the United States should form Air Ministry, to control military, naval and commercial aviation. Ho said Sir Douglas Haig, Marshal h och and General Ijudeudorif agreed that before the mobilisation of armies could be effected in tho next war a great conflict would occur in the air. The aggressive nation would bo prepared to launch an aerial attack on the shipping and munition centres, and even cities of its opponents. Marshal Foch had said; “To mo the fact has been clearly demonstrated m this war that if n nation wishes to conquer it must have supremacy in the air.” AMERICAN COMMENT ON AUSTRALIAN FLIGHT. The New I ork 'limes editorially, says:-—" It scorns the British Govern- ! mem 9 habit to encourage darine- ! always- Its approval of the airplane i race from England to the Antipodes is I \ C3 n? m polnt ’ . hhicce.ss may crown! the flight, but perils in some parts of j the route are so great that tho man ! must be a visionary who will face them. : Oolumhus did not lake, one-tenth of the tasks these bold air pioneers face. Mav j luck bo with them. They will be throwing dice with death.” j JAPAN'S AIR EXPENDITURE. ' A dispatch from Tokio says it is ■ understood the Government is preparing to appropriate 12-5,000,000 dollar lor the development of aviation, mterest m w-hich has been stimulated by the trench Aviation Corps which is teaching the Japanese Army. !

EX ROUTE FOR AUSTRALIA

ROME, October 18 Eon let has left for Salonika.