AVIATION DEVELOPMENT

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 3, Issue 714, 14 December 1933, Page 4

AVIATION DEVELOPMENT

The plans for the formation of an air mail and passenger carrying company in New Zealand under the aegis of Sir Charles Kingsford Smith are interesting and appear likely to develop into something more material than mere theorising. The prospective company, we understand, is already assured if very substantial backing and with the guartee of Sir Charles Kingsford Smith's experience behind it, it will undoubtedly commend itself to many investors. New Zealand, chiefly owing to its remote position, has lagged behind many other countries of the world in aviation matters and to-day, the commercial development of aircraft which is a commonplace abroad, is still a novelty and something of an unknown quantity here. Nevertheless, competent aviators, among whom Sir Charles takes leading place, have interested themselves in proposals to develop commercial aviation in the Dominion and the new company is the first tangible gesture in that direction. Inevitably fares will be higher than those eharged for land travel, but against that is the tremendous saving in time. Flight-Lieuten-ant Ulm in the "Faith in Australia" has demonstrated the tremendous possibilities of air travel by covering the distance of 760 miles between Auckland and Invercargill in 7 hours 57 min- , utes. When this is compared with the long and tedious journey by rail and ferry which is at present entailed in such a trip, it is possible to realise the shortening in the bounds of distance that will be possible with a reguIar service. Mail services in all parts of the country will be tremendously accelerated and the restrictions of distance will not mean more than possibly six ! hours to any part of New Zealand. Rotorua is particularly inter- ' ested, as aecording to the tentative plans prepared, it is proposed to include this town as a port of call for the smaller feeder planes which will operate from Auckland and across to Gisborne and Hawke's Bay. If the company becomes an established fact it will be interesting to note the attitude that will be taken by the Government for it will undoubtedly constitute a serious competitor with the Railway Department in passenger and mail carrying. But it will be another step forward in the march of progress and the march of progress cannot be stemmed.