FUTURE OF AERIAL TRANSPORT

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 130, 26 February 1919, Page 5

FUTURE OF AERIAL TRANSPORT

MAIL AND TRADE ROUTES DISCUSSED. London, February 20. At the Australian and New Zealand Luncheon Club Maior-General Sykes, Chief of the Air Staff, was the principal guest. He paid-a tribute to the splendid'work of (he Australian Flying Corps in Egypt, Palestine, and France. The three squadrons in France had accounted for 400 enemy aeroplanes. Ihe air record of the New Zeaknders iras m less remarkable. It was essential that the separate portions of the Empire should build and weld together commercial aerial organisations, and be able to protect themselves and render immediate mutual assistance if danger arose. The advantages arising from the chain of British possessions throughout the world must be utilised for the construction of fuel and repair bases, and meteorological and wireless stations. Preparations must be. made for the day when all-British air-routes would play a, great part in the maintenance of the Empire 9 commercial existence. Undoubtedly aviation-had a great future in Australia and New Zealand. Aerinl transport in the early stages would be expensive, but it was necessary to pay for speed. The International •\ir Convention at Paris, which received much help from the British Empire.representatives, drafted a scheme for the organisation of mail and trade routes and services on international lines tor the approval of the Peace Conference. A comprehensive system of aerial communications should-be rapidly estab-lished.—Aus.-N.is. Cable Assn. TO DOUBLE PRESENJTSPEED RECORDS FRENCH SCIENTIST'S INVENTION. (Rec. February 25, 5.5 p.m.) • Paris, February 24. The noted French scientist, M. Raleiui says that lie has invented a turbine apparatus which will maintain the normal air pressure for aeroplane engines at the highest altitudes. He claims that aeroplanes thus will be able' to utilise the decreased air resistance at great heifthts without loss of engine efficiency, and believes that the speed attained will double anything hitherto known. One test showed an increase from 88 to 150 miWs per hour.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.