AIR TAXI OF FUTURE

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 202, 24 May 1944, Page 7

AIR TAXI OF FUTURE

Mr. Fraser Given Preview (Official News Service.) LONDON, May .22. Tile Prime Minister, Mr. Fraser, han a preview of a type of aircraft that may one day become the popular n otoi-cal of the air” when he visited the Miles aircraft factory. With no more tuss and much less time than it won kt aU to drive, the chief designer took him by plane from one corner of the t another. The machine took oft easily from a runway no bigger thnn .a field, skimmed round a group ot bu dim.* and deposited Mr. Fraser almost at the door of the next factory wing he was to At the moment this type of aircraft is designed primarily for artillery ob servatiou purposes, and machines lite it have proved invaluable in the operations in Italy. . , Mr. Fraser is making arrangement* to visit the Mediterriinean theatre with tue primary purpose of seeing General riej; berg and the New Zealand division ana gaining first-hand information on the rote it has played in the recent and current operations in Italy. He also hopes io visit as many air and naval station' as possible in this country in order to meet New Zealanders serving iieie. Talks with Wounded. During the weekend Mr. Fraser again talked with Major-General Kippenberger, who is undergoing final treatment at Bt. Mary's Hospital, in Roehampton, ou.er London, and who is expected to be ab.e to walk again within a few weeks. Mr. Fraser, with Mrs. I'raser and Mr. and Mrs. Jordan, also paid a visit to a Koval Air Force hospital, where they talked with a number of sick and injured New Zealand airmen. Iu addition they attended a rally of the Girls’ Life Brigade in the Royal Albert Hall, and on behalf of the Auckland division of the brigade Mr. Fraser accepted a shield won by the Auckland girls, who tied for first place in the international friendship competition. He also received the brigade’s distinguished service medal on liehalf of Miss Clare Hine, a member of the company attached to (be Epsom Baptist Church, who was granted the med il "in recognition of life-saving at great personal risk.” Mr. Fraser and his staff are continuing the consultations and discussions with various British authorities.