AIR TRANSPORT POLICY

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 87, Issue 39, 17 February 1943, Page 6

AIR TRANSPORT POLICY

BRITAIN URGED TO ADOPT PLAN AT ONCE London, Feb. 12. Britain's post-war air transport policy—or a lack of policy—is attracting much attention, and peers in the House of Lords this week ex£ressed disappointment with the overnment’s attitude. Lord Londonderry, who said he rould again raise the question a nonth hence, remarked that the question could not wait until after the var, but a plan should be decided ipon and operated forthwith. “I should like to hear it stated that ur transport is an Empire policy, and hope an Empire air council is already in being,” he said. He wanted he Government to call on shipping lompanies to take a lead in the air md in any new method for expending heir activities. He expected the Govirnment to undertake full responsilility for airfields, meteorology, radio md ground staff.

Lord Bennett declared: “If Britain s not to sink to the level of a secondfcass Power she must have an air fansport service now, not next year, ir the year after.” He added that the Empire should be able to spare energies and materials to ensure post-war Mr transport, just as Russia and Unerica were. Lord Sherborne, on behalf of the lovernmpnt, stated that the decision By with .he War Cabinet.

The Daily Mail, commenting on the debate, said: “This matter is urgent. When the war is over the world will turn to air transport on a scale undreamed of in 1939. Britain must be ready to take full advantage of this certain development. The British Empire is an entity, the most pressing need of which is swift air communications and the one which will most suffer if deprived of them.”