The Dominion. THURSDAY, JULY 31, 1919. AVIATION IN NEW ZEALAND

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 261, 31 July 1919, Page 4

The Dominion. THURSDAY, JULY 31, 1919. AVIATION IN NEW ZEALAND

Not the least important task to be undertaken by the Government in the near future is that of shaping an aviation policy for this country. _ In dealing with this question it will he materially assisted, no doubt, by the reports and advice of Lieutexant-Colonel Bettixgton, of the fioyal Air Force, who has been engaged during tho past three months in surveying and considering local conditions as they bear upon the development of aviation. The most judicious advice and the most skilful application of expert knowledge and experience to the particular problems of this Dominion cannot get over the fact, however, that in some respects it is badly placed to emulate the rapid progress in aviation which is being made in countries of larger population and more advanced industrial development. It is already evident that aerial development in this country for some time to come at least will perforce be determined loss by what is desirable than by ithe resources that can be made available when other and competing demands on the public purse have been given due consideration. In public utterances Colonel J3ettisqton has strongly emphasised the commanding importance of air force from the standpoint of national defence. Ho pointed out to an interviewer yesterday, for instance, that while the adequate protection of this Dominion by land or naval force presented an "almost insoluble problem, the perfection of aircraft as a national defence weapon opened up the possibility of a third and maybe more effective means of repelling an attack. 'In view of the great part that aircraft played in the war, and the greater ' part they undoubtedly would have played had it ~ lasted longer, it is likely that these observations in no way exaggerate their importance from the standpoint of national defence in.such a country as New Zealand. At tho same any idea of rapidly developing in this country a comprehensive scheme ,of aerial defence seems quite impracticable, in view of the enormous outlay that would be entailed. What strength in aircraft would be needed to provide adequately for the defence of the Dominion in case of attack has not yet been stated with authority. A hint in regard to the scale of expenditure that would be called for to maintain such a force was given by Colonel Bettington last month, however, when it was announced that the British Government had offered to present one hundred aeroplanes to each of the Dominions. He stated on that occasion that the value of the gift offered to this country, assuming that half , the aeroplanes were Hanpley ! Page twin-'ehgine machines, and the remainder smaller scout machines, would be about £600,000. The offer is generous, but whether New Zealand is in a position to maintain an establishment on the scale which the gift implies is at least an open question. Account must be taken of the cost not only of replacing machines at fairly frequent intervals, but of establishing aerodromes, wireless stations, etc.,'and organising a numerous maintenance staff as well as a force of aviators. The particulars in hand arc far from complete,, but they suggest obviously that a comprehensive scheme of air defence would! in itself, involvo the Dominion in a much greater annual outlay than it has ever contemplated making on Defence preparation as a whole in time of peace. It has to be considered also that for years to come the march of invention and general progress in aviation is likely to be rapid, and the constant production of improved types, of course, would add heavily to the cost of maintaining an efficient air force. Even those who' adopt the view that aerial force would most effectually protect this country may be driven to the conclusion that for some time to come it will have to rely chiefly, as it ■Joes now, upon naval force for protection.

This, of.course, is very far from meaning that Now Zealand can afford to neglect aerial development. Tt would be foolish to do so; as foolish, indeed, as to attempt too much. The problem, would be simplified to a considerable extent if (here were more assured prospects of the profitable development of commercial aviation in the immediate future, but the commercial possibilities of the aeroplane at its present st-ige of development and in a country like New Zealand are not particularly impressive. It is, of course, well known that regular services are now being maintained in various parts of Europe and America, along routes provided with aerodromes at which petrol can be obtained and repairs effected, but iu many cases, at least, these ventures are still at an experimental stage, and they have been floated in conditions • widely different from those which obtain in New Zealand. A contiibutor to the London Times recently supplied some interesting data based on British experience in the domain of commercial flying. He stated that the non-stop distances and maximum useful load of the twin-engined Handusy Page machine varied from 100 miles with Tj 7501b. to 800 miles with 25001b. It has been estimated that it is possibles to transport loads by these craft at Is. per lb. per 800 miles, provided they ily reasonably fully loaded. _ Based on this rale, the writer in question states, the following scale has been drawn up: — For leLtois—-id. per <loz. per 100 miles. For .parcels—lid. per lb. For passengers-?..'(!. per mile. For. goods—2s.' 4d. per ton per mile. This scale, which no doubt is provisional, 'promises reasonably well, but it is based on much more favourable conditions than exist in this country, whore payable rates would have to touch a 'considerably higher figure. Possibilities in th-J way of tho economical carriage of goods and passengers are likely to deter-

miiio tho development of commercial aviation in this country. Much interest, therefore, attaches to Colonel Bettington's suggestion that for a time part of the cost of an aerial defensive scheme might be recouped by utilising portion of the force and equipment in commerce- and mail transport, and more information on this point will be welcome. Whether or not the problems of aerial defence are lightened in this way it is clear that New Zealand must maintain and develop the nucleus of an air force, even though it is on little more than an experimental basis. Even with a limited amount of material equipment it_ will be possible to train a considerable mifnbei of aviators, and generally to keep in touch with modern developments. The matter of aerial defence is, of course, essentially one in which New Zealand activities ought to be coordinated with those of otht* parts of the Empire. Colonel Bettington has indicated that this may be •lone by tho exchange of officers'and in other ways.