OFFICIAL WIRELESS

Hokitika Guardian, 6 July 1928, Page 2

OFFICIAL WIRELESS

CIVIL FLYING

SAFETY IN PASSENGER-

SERVICES,

[Special to Press Assn, by Radio.]

RUGBY, July 3

The rapid growth of civil flying and the large increase in privately-owned aircraft and the absence of accidents in regular British air services are the chief features in the official report oii the progress made in civil aviation for the last year, which was issued today. ■ For Hie ilyyd year in succession no passenger was injured through a mishap to.any aeroplane registered in the British/Isles. The record number of 28,764 passengers was carried on the cross-Channel services -by British and foreign aircraft, an increase of oyer 3003 on the figures for 1926. 'Hie British share amounted to 57 per cent.

The value of goods recei\ed from or despatched to the Continent during the year was the record figure of £2.091,000, almost exactly double the figure for 1924. Bullion and gold and silver coin carried to and from tlio Continent amounted to nearly £8,000,000. The outstanding technical development of the year was the substitution of metal construction for wood and fabric.

Alembersliip of tbe light aeroplane clubs doubled during the year, and the number of privately-owned machines increased, with the result that long distance tonring by light ’planes has increased considerably. British development -of amateur flying has promoted a. similar movement in many other parts of the world, and the repeated proofs which have been given of reliability and economy of British light aeroplanes have gained for British makers a good lead in supplying the rapidly-increasing overseas demand. The evolution of better production methods in light aeroplane construction has already- begun, with a consequent reduction in prices.

THE MOND CONFERENCE,

RUGIjY. July 3

At the National Union of Railwaymen’s Congress at Bristol Mr J. H. Thomas, M..P„ strongly supported the policy of the Trade Union Congress in continuing discussion*; on industrial problems between representative employers, beaded by Lord Melchett (formerly Sir Alfred Mond), and trade unionists. Mi- Thomas said that a policy of co-operation with the employers, similar to that represented by the Mond committee discussions, had been and was being followed with success on Hie railways, and he welcomed the extension of the principle. A resolution condemning the Trade Union Congress’s action in proceeding with the negotiations was heavily defeated.

STRANDED CRUISER, n TUGS FAIL TO REFLOAT DAUNTLESS. - RUGBY, July 3. According to present information, no loss of life occurred on 11.M.5. Dauntless, which is a cruiser of 4639 tons, when she ran aground at Halifax. She was built in 1918, and was formerly attached to the First Cruiser Squadron of the Mediterranean Fleet, but was for a considerable period in Chinese waters. She returned home last January and then proceeded to the Bermuda base oi the North America and West Indies station, and set out on Friday on a tour of Canadian and Newfoundland ports. It is understood tliat she lies in a very exposed position. Efforts to refloat her last night were made by tugs of the naval and port authorities of Halifax, but without success.