AERIAL POST.

Taihape Daily Times, 5 October 1918, Page 7

AERIAL POST.

. .TWICE AS FAST AS TRAINS. SIB JOSEPH WARD'S VIEWS. Aug. 20. Sir Joseph. Ward, interviewed here isaid: — . Immediately the war is over, we >are f'ing to establish an aeroplane postal rviee in New Zealand. The project 33 only in the ebryonic state at preSenti Aerial work is only in its infancy now; by the time peace ha 3 been signed the every day improvements in thc\ aeroplane are likely to 'Shavo .atr£;~c-d >sne,ii perfection that the carriage of mails will .present few, if any, difficulties. I kve already worked out the cost and find that it will be little, if anything, higher than that of carriage by railway, motor-car or coach. But the great consideration, icstfeeially in' |a county like New Zealand, will bo the saving of time- I am hoping that we shall have aeroplanes able to travel more than twice as fast as a railway itrain —aeroplanes which drop their cmailbags and fly straight on, saving an enormous amount of valuable time Nothing definite has yet been decid-

«d as to the personnel of this .aeroplane postal service, .but I think I can safely say we intend to make every use of our men in the Air Force. There are dozens of non-commissioned officers who will make excellent pilots, and the remuneration will be Sufficiently attractive to make the profession one of great pTomise. 5 For years I have studied, as a layman, the future of aerial transport and I am convinced that the bitter Jlkssons of the past will not bave been learnt in vain. The commercial possibilities of the aeroplane are very great indeed in a country like New Zealand, and, indeed, in all the overseas Dominions. We are at present paying large subsidies for our mail services. I am quite certain that in a few years New Zealand will nave running tan effective -aeroplane postal service. The men who have done such magnificent research work' in aerial science —research which has resulted in Great Britain having the finest air service in the world —can be relied upon to continue their work until an aeroplane suitable for mail-carrying purposes is evolved, I see no reason why both letters and parcels may not 'be carried. I am quite certain that before long aeroplane flights between England and the United States will be accomplished. The creation of aeroplane .pKtal services throughout the world .Will follow as a natural sequence. J ;am already in touch with the leading aeroplane manufacturers and with the willing assistance of the Eoyal Air Force can take back with me to New Zealand full particulars of everything that will be required."