AVIATION

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXI, Issue 18900, 22 December 1923, Page 5

AVIATION

LINKING UP THE DOMINIONS. NEW YORK, Dee. 20. Group Captain Christie, Air Attache to the British Navy, gave a dinner to the Duke of Sutherland, who said that lhe British Empire should appreciate the value of flying more than anybody because the Empire's strength lies in the dominions, which require quick inter communication and the safety of Imperial trade routes. He added: “Aviation ended Britain's insularity. She is now a part of Continental Europe, like France and Germany. Through air defence and commercial flying Britain proposes to link the dominions together, just as Britain is linked to the Continent. Britain regards flying as essential to commerce and shipping, and looks upon air rivalry as a commercial competition." The Duke of Sutherland denied that he said that Britain was two years behind the U nited States in commercial aviation, but Britain did abandon light er-1 han-air craft two years ago for economy. She was now revising the Kime. As regards aeroplanes, Britain was equal to any country except Prance. In commercial aviation Britain probably excelled the United riates, because of the Government subsidies, which will bo withdrawn ten years hence, when Ihe industry will probably self-supporting.