AIR DEVELOPMENT

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 301, 14 September 1920, Page 6

AIR DEVELOPMENT

NEW SCHEME IN THE SOUTH

GOVERNMENT LENDS MACHINES

The Air Board lws suggested to the Minister of Defence that 'some of tlie aeroplanes ow:i:d by tlm Government shall bo lent to the South' Canterbury syndicate, which is. proposing to establish an aerial mail and passenger w;rvicn between Timnru, Dunedin, and Invercargill, and between Titnaru and Ift. Cook. These machines were presented to New Zealand by the liritish Government, anil it is recognised that they ought not to be merely held* in store, since they will become obsolete. The Government has not yet announced a decision concerning tiio Air Board's proposal. But some machines have been sent to T'imaru, to be used by the syndicate in malting necessary tests of the route. The company is' to bear alt exponsos, and is responsible for the safety .of tlie machines. Defence Headquarters, as indicated in the Defence .Report, believes that the development of aviation in this country is important, and that it ought to proceed at present along civilian lines. Tho maintenance of an aerial force purely for defence purposes would be costly and unproductive, whereas the development of civil aviation will place a reserve of trained pilots and mechanics at the disposal of the Defence Department in nme cf war. It is intended that the pilots shall have refresher courses in military aviation.