AVIATION.

Hokitika Guardian, 27 September 1928, Page 2

AVIATION.

FUTURE IN DOMINIONS

INTERVIEW WITH SIR JOHN SALMON D. AUCKLAND, Sept. 24. Air-Marshal Sir John Salmond was a passenger by the Aorangi, which arrived this morning. He proceeds to Wellington to confer with the Government on air defence. He is accompanied ,/oy Squadron-Leader Drummond and Flight-Lieutenant Ledger. Tie was met 011 arrival by Major-Gen-eral Young, Major Wilkes and Major Isitt.

“Aviation is destined to play a most important part in the transport and mail services of the Commonwealth, as it is doing in other countries,” said Air-Marshal Sir John Salmond to a “Star” reporter. Australia was one of the best countries he had seen as promising an aviation area, because of the open country, wonderful visibility and splendid climate, Added to this there were such great tracts of territory between the large centres and important outposts which civil flying was capable of bridging. Between some of these pliices at the present time there was very little communication and aviation would materially assist in joining up these outlying localities. “Civil flying is making tremendous strides in Australia,” he said. “The latest link about to be forged is between Perth and Adelaide. For use in this service there will be threeengined machines, and flying will be done at night, with a view to the saying of time as far as the mails are concerned. The services which have already 'been inaugurated are working extremely well and tbe aeroplanes are always up to time. Air matters are very much in the boom and flying clubs are largely responsible for the public interest taken.” Sir John spoke with enthusiasm of the Moth machines which are in general use by the flying clubs, saying that they were excellent for training purposes. ■ ■

Regarding the traus-Tasman flight, the Air-Marshal said that when he heard that Squallron-Lender Kingsford Smith and his companions were about to make the journey he felt convinced that the expedition would be successful because of -the efficiency of tbe men and their equipment. In addition the flight was scientifically undertaken, nothing being left to chance. Asked concerning Britain’s huge airship ‘ RIOO and as to whether, being the largest airship belonging to the British Government, it would make' an Empire cruise, as did H.M.S. Hood when it was the largest battleship in tlie world, Sir John said that the airship would be in Australia in two years’ time. He could say nothing officially as to whether it would .come across to New Zealand, hut with a smile, he remarked that it was only a short hop across. In respect to the world flights of British aeroplanes, he said that nothing had been arranged, but as matters were moving so very quickly in the sphere of flying one never knew what was going to happen next. Sir John Salmon spent ten weeks in Australia and during that time be travelled 14,000 miles, including 6000 in the air.