“WHY NOT GIFT AIRSHIPS?”

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXV, Issue 1100, 22 May 1913, Page 4

“WHY NOT GIFT AIRSHIPS?”

‘‘The security given by the narrow sea which divides Britain from Europe has vanished in large measure, for although an air squadron could never land large bodies of troops in England, it could paralyse the nation by destroying cities from the air at its leisure. So urgent does the need of an aerial fleet appear to thinking men at home that towns and countries are being urged to follow the example of French and German cities and present airships to the Government. Hampshire is giving an aeroplane, and other counties will doubtless follow her example. Leipzig gave £io,ooq towards the building of airship sheds in Germany, and a subsidy of j£iooo a year, and Leipzig is no larger than Melbourne or Sydney. “When the supremacy of the British Empire was threatened on the sea the Dominions, with spontaneous loyalty, cheerfully paid, for the finest battleships obtainable. Fortuuately there is no need to secure that preponderance in the air that is a necessity on the sea ; but it is absolutely imperative that Great Britain should be able to resist and defeat any raiding air fleet flying over her borders. Here, surely, is an opportunity for the Dominions to again demonstrate their concern in the welfare of the Empire by assisting to build an air fleet great enough to defend the heart of the Empire.” Review of Reviews (May number).