The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 1930. EMPIRE AIR SERVICES.

Hokitika Guardian, 19 February 1930, Page 4

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 1930. EMPIRE AIR SERVICES.

.Ihe discussion, following the lessons learned by the exploits of IUOO and 111 01, on the various types of aircraft suitable lor the economic development of the Empire, shows, says a contemporary, that Great Britain is alive to tbje very material) advantages that aviation offers. It is certain, that though the rewards will not be immediate! they will eventually provide full compensation for the efforts and sacrifices made now. New markets, a steadily growing 'industry absorbing many workers, readier access to nov more, or less inaccessible places of the earth, a broader outlook, a quickening of the progressive spirit that measures the vitality of a nation, and what is of the greatest importance to a scattered Empire, much closer intercourse within its borders and throughout the world, are rewards that are well worth striving for. The future is undoubtedly to air-faring nations. All the leading Powers are alive to this issue and are encouraging “hold enterprise in the pursuit of gain and a keen scent for the trails that load to it.” The trails in this instance are air routes, and there is no more natural or effective way for a Government to encourage aviation than bv the provision of those essential highways. Exception has been taken in some quarters in Britain to the cost of the two great airships that have just been completed, but experiments of this nature are necessary for progress, and when the safety and convenience of airships have been demonstrated—and there is justification for the hope that that will not be very distant—ligliter-than-air vessels will in all probability play a very important part in Empire air communications. Tin's view is liel<l by Sir Denniston Burney, the aeronautical expert, who sees in the future the great trunk lines of the Imperial air system served bv the airship and the flying boat. All countries complain that aviation does not pnv its way, and, just as railways and shipping companies in their infancy were assisted by the Government, so tin’s new means of communication needs financial help. Governments which starve aviation will be guilty of a penny-

wise pound-foolish policy, and will fully deserve the condemnation of succeeding generations. Subsidies to assist commercial aviation are a good investment of public money. And perliaps one of the best forms such subsidies an take is the indirect one of providng and equipping air routes. These outes are as essent.al to a State of „o-day as are roads and sea routes. This is a matter of vital importance Britain, and, as her position has been built up on the basis of sea-power, airpower is now needed to maintain it. there are encouraging signs that she is becoming increasingly all -e to the part that aviation is likely to play in the future, not only from the material point of view of trade and industry, hut also in consolidating the Empire by giving to-widely scattered peoples a. unity hitherto unattainable.