“I CANNOT SAY.”

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17351, 16 May 1924, Page 7

“I CANNOT SAY.”

AIRSHIP SERVICES. SHOULD AUSTRALIA BUILD ? By Telegraph—Prees Aeeociation— Copyright Sydney “ Stm ” Cable. (Received Alay 16, 9.36 a.m.) LONDON, Alay 16. Coxnm&nder Burney, interviewed, said: “I cannot say how soon the first airship will arrive in Australia and New Zealand. Everything depends upon the Air Alinistry’e energy in overcoming the initial difficulties of designing and testing. '•lf my scheme had been accepted, we would have made the first voyage to Australia within two years, using wartime monitors as mobile bases, at Singapore, and on the Australian coast. “ My Airship Guarantee Company is backed by Vickers and owns the Howden Airship Station, and could undertake any developments on behalf of Australia, New Zealand. or the other Dominions if granted a subsidy. W© would need for Australia £300,000 annually, until the Anglo-Aastralian service is commercially successful. If the Dominions decide to inaugurate airship services to Britain, there is no reason why they should not start negotiations now, and begin building when the Air Ministry and ourselves have completed the trial tests between England and India.”