The Hokitika Guardian FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER. Ist, 1922. BRITAIN’S AIR FORCE.

Hokitika Guardian, 1 September 1922, Page 2

The Hokitika Guardian FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER. Ist, 1922. BRITAIN’S AIR FORCE.

Apropos of aerial defence matters, referred to in passing in this column this week, a review of the position in the United Kingdom goes to show that for some time past the 'feeling lias been growing that Britain is rapidly falling behind in the race for aerial supremacy both from the Service and civil standpoints, and in view of this the speeches delivered at the fourth annual reunion dinner of the Independent Force of the Royal Air Force, by those responsible for the effectiveness of Britain's Air Arm, are worthy of more than passing attention. There is no doubt that ofcially” the power of our Air Force is fully, recognised, for as Captain Guest, tho Secretary of State for Air, pointed out, the Government have decided to infthc* thft Air- Ministry respond Vh» (m- tlie internal gwnrif? nf s

I that here, for *tlie first time, the suI preme command of the entire military forces of an important dependency of the British Empire is placed in the hands of an Air Force officer. Further the Air Arm is now looked upon or is I cing gradually recognised, as the first line of defence, and in this connection, the inauguration of the Air Staff College shows that a serious attempt is being made to train Air Force personnel with the same thoroughness and to the same degree of efficiency as was the old “Contemptible” Army. The numbers of the Air Foree are at present small but efficient, and, to quote Sir Hugh Trenehard, the Chief Marshall all its officers are experts at their own jobs. A vast amount of work is 'being done behind the scenes by the Air Force, work which not only advances their own prestige in the countries in which they operate, hut also that of the British Empire. Concerning the civil side of aviation Captain Guest struck rather a pessimistic note. He was of opinion that to lie of any real

.national value, civil aviation must sooner or later be qble to fly bv itsell, adding that “the interim period between the ‘sooner or later’ is the one with which we are concerned at the present time, and the Government policy to give temporary .assistance to this undertaking during its infancy is only justified up to a certain point.” His argument that England is too small and the present travelling facilities too good for civil aviation to succeed as n commercial enterprise does not, in general opinion carry much weight. Even in Great Britain there are many journeys of two or three hundred miles, or more which are made regularly by business people and a great saving of time could he' effected if these were nßide by air. It is recognised, however, that civil Hying has not been taken up to tile extent anticipated, and until the British public overcome their apathy to this form of transport, the position of air companies in Great Britain will continue to he precarious. It is further afield that Captain Guest looks for the success of commercial aviation; to those “wide stretches of territory” cf which we possess more than any other country in the world. Much has already been done in this connection, and tliore is no reason why British enterprise and British pluck should not develop more of 'these Imperial ail- routes. Continual research is the key-note to the improvement of our Air Arm. and if tho same enterprise in this respect is shown in the future as in tho past there can he no doubt that Great Britain, will take a lead in commercial aviation which other nations of the world will lie proud to follow. mi mmt mini i wtobiowm