BRITISH AVIATORS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 72, Issue 260, 1 November 1929, Page 7

BRITISH AVIATORS

EXTENSION OF SERVICES MINISTERIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS f British Official Wireless. ] RUGBY, Oct. 30. The Air Ministry has allotted 75 places to members of Parliament in RlOl on her next special flight, which she will undertake during November. The airship will undergo her full speed trials during the next few days. The Air Ministry announces that the British Government will not enter in future for the Schneider Cup trophy international race for seaplanes. It is explained that the two main considerations whicL have influenced this decision are, firstly, owing to Government participation in recent years the contest has assumed a character not in accordance with the intentions of M. Schneider, its originator and donor of the trophy; secondly, although the entry of a Royal Air Force team was calculated to give much needed impetus to the development of high speed aircraft, and did so, notably in the two last contests, sufficient data has now been collected for practical development in this direction and the large expenditure of public money involved by Government participation is therefore no longer justifiable. This decision should not, of course, affect the entry of British machines in future contests. Convincing proof has now been furnished of what the British aircraft industry can do and the wide' public interest displayed should make it possible for British pilots and machines to compete in what is intended to be a sporting international event on the basis of private enterprise. Air Mail to Cape Mr Montague (Under-Secretary for Air) stated in the House of Commons that the proposals of an air mail service to Capetown had now been agreed upon between various Governments concerned and the survey party consisting of representatives of Imperial Airways and the Air Ministry officials had left this country for Capetown for the purpose of visiting countries en route and settling details of the ground organisation in consultation with local officials. He hoped that the service half way to Capetown would be in operation by June, 1930. Proposals for an early extension of the England to India air service from Karachi to Calcutta were now under consideration by the Government of India. The question of extension to Singapore and Australia was being examined.