OVERSEAS TOUR

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 10, 7 October 1943, Page 3

OVERSEAS TOUR

Mr. A. L. Wall’s Observations

Some of the impressions he gained from observations during his world tour this year were given at this week’s meeting of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce by the immediate past president of the chamber, Mr. A. Leslie Wall. Air. Wall attended the annual meeting of the U.iS. Chambers of Commerce in New York, aud in England addressed a meeting of the i'ederatcd Chambers of Commerce of Great Britain. "In the United States the Chambers ot Commerce are very highly organized ami active bodies,” said Mr. Wail. They had many sections and departments which devoted attention to particular subjects, such as domestic trade, industrial development, research, taxation aud legislation matters, etc. These sections were under the control of permanent men of high ability, and operated by a large staff.

Aviation was a very live question today in the United States, and Air. AVall said he was greatly impressed with the progress so far. The big air terminals were marvels of organization, and the buildiugs compared favourably with those at the large rail terminals. Air traffic was a tremendous undertaking. At Washington, for instance, planes were taking off every seven or eight minutes for all parts, and there was au air of continual bustle and activity day and night. “Everyone is fully convinced that after the war, air travel will develop to an extent hitherto undreamed of,” continued Mr. Wall. In Pittsburg the airport was on the top of the hills surrounding the city. The landing field was flattened by bulldozers and the result showed what could be done to overcome natural disadvantages. Pittsburg did this because it was realized that they could not afford to be left out of this new and highly-important means of transportation. Wellington had natural disadvantages, but should take a lesson from Pittsburg and make certain that the city was not left behind in this important and vital matter. Air. Wall paid a tribute to the people of England, who, he said, were displaying the greatest possible determination to achieve complete and lasting victory over the forces of aggression.