AVIATION IN AUSTRALIA

Hokitika Guardian, 22 January 1920, Page 1

AVIATION IN AUSTRALIA

VERY SLOW PROGRESS. SYDNEY, Jan. 6. It is over a year since the armistice was signed, and all the aviation activities of the world were released from war demands, yet this new means of transport and Communication which was expected to do wonderful things in ■hurrying on the development of Australia, is still practically unknown here. Of all those who sought the honour of flying from London to Melbourne, only, one team is near success.—and their machine is crippled away in the middle of Australia. Poulet, having fought his way to Rangoon ,is now on his way home again; another team lies crippled in Crete janother is somewhere between Constantinople and Baghdad; and four gallant fellows have lost their lives—two in England and two in the Mediterranean. The position to-day clearly suggests that much has to be done before the long-distance flight

from Europe to Australia becomes regularlv practicable. But, for a year past, have been flitting about Eastern and Sou iern Australia ,and short, regular services have been shown quite possible. Companies have been formed and aerodromes prepared, yet nothing of commercial value has been done; aviation continues to hang fire in a remarkable way No one seems to have confidence in the aeroplane as a carrier. Vj machines which fly over Sydney andMelbourne are mostly only demonstra-