IMPERIAL AIRWAYS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVIII, Issue 47, 24 January 1938, Page 8

IMPERIAL AIRWAYS

INQUIRY INTO AFFAIRS.

(United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) Received January 24, 11.40 a.m.

LONDON. Jan. 23. The Cadmun Committee, which has conducted an inquiry into the charges made ag.'iin.st Imperial Airways by Mr W. R. D. Perkins in the Douse of Commons, found the problems so involved that it will he unable to report to Parliament on February 1, and will submit an interim report which is expected to suggest the need for a revision of the basis of subsidies and deal with the relationship between Imperial Airways and the staff. Reynolds News save that the thoroughgoing methods of the committee indicate that the recommendations may, in some respects, be sensational and the resignations of several highlyplaced officials are expected.

A message from Rugby on October 29 last stated that the Conservative member of tlie House of Commons, Mr W. R. D. Perkins, vice-president of tbe newly-form-cd British Airlines Pilots’ Association, strongly criticised Imperial Airways in the House of Commons, especially because the company refused their pilots tho right of collective bargaining. He said there hud been recently curious dismissals closely akin to victimisation, notably that of Major Wilson, pilot of tbe first air-mail to Australia. Major Wilson had served Imperial Airways for 7A years and was one of tbe two people known ns a master pilot for both land and seaplanes. He was dismissed and no reason was given. “1 have a strong feeling,” lie added, “that it was because be opened bis mouth . 100 wide in the City of Khartoum inquiry.” Two officials of the Pilots’ Association had suggested that the London-Budapest service be suspended in the winter as the 'planes were not properly equipped. Hie service was stopped, but tbe ofDials who made the suggestion were dismissed. Only a 'few ’planes were equipped with apparatus to enable a blind landing- It was unfair, lie continued, to ask pilots to run a hundred per cent, service when the ’planes lacked those elementary things. The machines on the London-Paris routo were obsolete irnd other ’planes were definitely unsuitable for a winter service ' in Europe.