Sidelights on the War

Levin Daily Chronicle, 28 March 1918, Page 1

Sidelights on the War

THE TRAINING Or AIRMEN. An airman carrics Ms life in Ms hands, writes "Virginia" in the Times. One mistake, one error of judgment, and all is over. For such men it would seem that a sound preliminary training in science and engineering was essential. Doubtless, at that indefinite time—the end of the war —some such training as that given at Osborne to our future officers in the Royal Navy will be evolved for our airmen. But even now something should be done so that the brave fellows who risk their lives for their country in the. a.ir should not run unnecessary risks. There arc, fortunately, signs that the authorities are alive to the importance of the matter, as a preliminary course for pilots in the Air Service, including science and,engineering is announced at the East London College. This is a step in the right direction, but' more is wanted. GLASGOW TOOD CHARGE. Mr Edward Watson, a member of the Glasgow City Council, and himself a member of one of the sub-committees of the Glasgow! Food Control Committee was charged in the Glasgow Sheriff Court with having, on two occasions, sold meat at prices higher than the maximum figures laid down by the committee. He pleaded not guilty. Sheriff Lyell said it had been admitted by respondent that he was guilty of the charges,libelled. It had been an open, considered, and, no was sorry to say, a defiant disobedience persistently followed. From li is evidence it appeared that the respondent was perfectly willing to obey the law only in so far as ho could make the law suit himself. His Lordship -imposed a fine of £50, with the alternative of sixty days' imprisonment. Respondent's counsel intimated that he desired a stated case. HUNS BUILDING CONCRETE SHIPS Captain Persius, naval correspondent of the Berlin Daily Paper, states that, owing to prospective shortage of wood, steel, and iron for shipbuilding after the war, leading German and Austrian dockyards are preparing to use ferroconcrete on a large scale. Yards are now being constructed to that end. Persius takes the view that all the great shipbuilding countries "will be put to the same necessity as Germany to find substitutes for wood, iron and steel. Germany, ho thinks, will be in a better position than any of the rest for ferroconcrete construction, because "We possess the most important cemcnt industry in the world. We have far outstripped France, the country where the most versatile uses were formerly made of cement, while we have given the English, the inventors of cement, the fiercest l competition in the markets of the world.