The Wanganui chronicle. WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 2, 1929. ANOTHER MILESTONE PASSED

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 72, Issue 1, 2 January 1929, Page 6

The Wanganui chronicle. WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 2, 1929. ANOTHER MILESTONE PASSED

r J~'UE recognition of the Graf Zeppelin’s return flight 1o Ger-

many from America as a world’s record, as reported in the cable news at the end of last week, emphasises the fact that another milestone in the conquest of the air has been passed. For the first time in history an airship has crossed and recrossed the Atlantic, carrying freight and passengers. It was not, of course, the first airship Io complete the journey. As long ago as 1919, 1134 accomplished that feat; and the main point of interest is how far the Graf Zeppelin’s achievement is an advance upon the earlier experimental flight.

It is evident that this is the swiftest long distance flight ever made by an airship. Though it encountered bad weather on both journeys and did not make the times expected, the Graf Zeppelin crossed the Atlantic at a rate which no steamship could equal, still less surpass. And it is notable that the two British airships which are nearing completion,- RlOO and RlOl, are larger, more powerful, and designed to carry more than double as many passengers.

How far is one justified in regarding these advances as revolutionising Atlantic travel? There appears, at present, to be little justification for any such sanguine conclusion. Dr. Eekner is discontented with the Graf Zeppelin; but the present type of airship is, of its nature, largely at the mercy of the elements. It is, indeed, difficult to imagine the development which will make it secure against that menace. Even if RlOO and RlOl should make better times, as is confidently hoped, it seems highly improbable that they can assure such rapid flights at any but selected times and on any but carefully chosen routes. Over land areas, on such journeys as from England to Australia, and even to New Zealand, they may and should be of immense service- With landing-places ready in case of need, Palestine, India and the Far East will be brought nearer than one could have dreamed 20 years ago. Under their influence the earth is likely to shrink more and more to the great advantage of trade, of commerce, and of good relations among nations.