AVIATION

Hokitika Guardian, 29 September 1933, Page 6

AVIATION

FACTOR FOR PEACE '(British 'Official Wireless.) RUGBY, September 27. The Air Lord Londonderry, introducing to London the delegates from some thirty air transport companies, who are attending a conference of the International Air Traffic referred' t.o vast strides made in the development of regular air ervices. in 1928 air mileage coveted By regular air lines throughout th'e 'fvo’rld was about nine thousand jfiiles. • To-day the figures stood at over 200,000 miles. In 1928 the number of miles flown was 34(000,000 while this year- the total was expected to reach 100,000,000 miles, lii Europe alone, there were some 16,000 miles of airways, and over these routes 800 machines Were in regular operation. The Air Minister maintained that flying Was the most civilising and unifying influence in the modern world and was a joint instillment for peace. Lie was convinced that the military aspect of flying would sink into compUfative insignificance beside its far Wider and increasing use in every jflay life a,s a means of bringing nations into closer contact. Distance Was, perhaps, the greatest enemy of ,ifitefnational understanding and air tfavel must naturally be an influence ’for good, if its uses and possibilities were suitably organised.