PRICE OF PLANES

Hokitika Guardian, 15 November 1932, Page 8

PRICE OF PLANES

INTERESTING STAGE REACHED.

COMMERCIAL PROPOSITION

AUCKLAND; November 12

Although! flying 'fill always have a rather specialised use, according to Mr F. D.‘ Mill', of Hobsonville, Auckland, he thinks that' tne stage has- been reached when machines? 1 fere beginning to bo turned out which, haying - regard to the cost for each passenger seat,' are really a commercial • proposition. Mr Mill returned to New Zealand laßt evening by the Mataroa from ■ England,where he has been on business ! in connection with flying. He was the fiTst agent in New 1 Zealand for th e He Haviland Company, manufacturers of the “Moth” aeroplanes.

In an interview, Mr Mill said that this production of machines, which were a commercial proposition from the point of view of> cost per passenger, was the most interesting thing in theaviation world at the present time. An aeroplane recently produced in England, lie said, wak built to carry four (pasengers over short distances and lavas priced at just under £IOOO. This iineant, of course, that the ‘cost per passenger seat was about £250,_ whicii m%d 6 a reasonable basis tor, investment.

:Mr Mill did not think that transport by air would ever develop to such - an exent that it would interfere with present transport services.' All the same, he. said, the commercial development of aircraft was highly interesting and promised in special fields to be most remunerat-ve. Transport services at Lome were at present largely subsidised, but companies were trying earnestly to get down to a point where they would bo able to carry on with only a little assistance from the Government and local bodies,'and no actual subsidy at all.