Manawatu Evening Standard TUESDAY, JUNE 29, 1937. PROGRESS IN AVIATION.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 178, 29 June 1937, Page 6

Manawatu Evening Standard TUESDAY, JUNE 29, 1937. PROGRESS IN AVIATION.

Tiie annihilation of distance by speedy aircraft, a subject which has arrested attention in every quarter of the globe, has been brought even more closely to the people of this Dominion by the latest enterprise of Union Airways, Ltd., in the inauguration of its Auckland-New Plymouthl’almerstou North-Wellington service with Lockheed Electra machines. Saturday’s ceremony in Palmerston North marked a great step in the development of civil aviation in New Zealand, and one which cannot be overstressed, particularly in its bearing on Palmerston North and the surrounding area, for it is not difficult to realise that this city is destined to play a big part in the future of this most modern method of transport. The Airways Company, which is to be congratulated on its splendid record of safety and performance in its Palmerston North-Dunedin service, and on its latest enterprise, has recognised the value of Palmerston North as a flying centre. As the acting-Prime Minister happily put it in his speech at the inauguration function, it appeared that Auckland, Wellington and New Plymouth would, through the new service, become suburbs of Palmerston North, the centre of the organisation. It is patent that the city possesses most desirable features, geographical and meteorological, for commercial aviation and these will in time to come make it the Croydon of the Dominion. Not far away, at Ohakea, plans are being developed for the establishment of a military aerodrome which may eventually assume the importance of Wigram, the big South Island aircraft depot. Already there are signs that a township will arise at the new military air establishment, for a most progressive policy, it has been made clear hy the Minister of Defence (Mr Jones), is to be pursued in the Dominion’s Air Force.

The Minister, in outlinin'? the steps taken by the Government to promote aviation, recounted that the civil and military branches had been separated. Most modern equipment is being provided in addition to the establishment of aerodromes, and it is intended to instal radio telephones at the principal aerodromes, as well as radio direction-finders and beacons. At the Milson airport already the latest devices of science (o aid aerial navigation and safety have been set up. This year alone the sum of £“15,000 is being spent on the aspect of development mentioned by Mr Jones —an indication of how desirous the Government is of keeping abreast with scientific aids to flying. The splendid record of Union Airways is proof of its watchwords, safety and service, and this is doubtless

doing much to popularise this comparatively new mode of transport. To all concerned in fostering aviatiou in the Dominion credit is due—and in this respect the pioneers such as the late Squadron-Leader McGregor and others should not be forgottenTo those farseeing gentlemen who acquired the Milson airport area and set about securing its development the citizens of Palmerston North owe much. There is practically no limit to the possibilities of the development of Palmerston North as the leading airport of the country.