AVIATION PROSPECTS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 8, 10 June 1913, Page 3

AVIATION PROSPECTS.

MR. ALLEN'S TRIP HOME. Interviewed by a Dominion pressman, Mr. Allen said he was not in a position to say what the future policy of the Government in regard to the development of aviation in New Zealand would be, but some of the facts he supplied nbout the new aeroplane are in themselves illuminating. ■ The machine, as it is termed in popular parlance, is a delicate piece of mechanism, which could not possibly be trusted to amateurs am bitious of experimenting in the art of Hying. On the other hand, such an up-to-date piece of military equipment as the aeroplane cannot well be stowed away as a white elephant. Possibly the Government may lind it necessary to import one or more expert aviators. This was a question upon which Mr. Allen declined to speak definitely. He mentioned that at Famborough experimental work in aviation is being carried out by the military authorities upon an extensive scale. Cadets in the art of flying are never permitted to practise on a first-class aeroplane. They are first of all sent aloft in a loose balloon to study air-currents. In the next stage, the less valuable aeroplanes are used in training work, and it is only when the apprentice aviator has acquired an expert knowledge of air-currents and of the working of the engine which supplies the aeroplane with motive power that lie is permitted to go up in a firstclass air-cruiser. In talking generally on, the subject of aviation, Mr. Allen mentioned the possibility that hydroplanes might be found, valuable in a country like New Zealand. After con-, sidering the information which the Minister has brought out, General Goaley will report to the Government on the subject. Mr. Allen mentioned, in pass> ing, that he had been approached in the Old Country by two officers who were desirous of undertaking aviation service in New Zealand.

Besides visiting the military Park, Mr. Allen paid a visit' to the aviation park at Hendon, which is conducted by Mr. Graham White. Here, although the weather conditions were unfavorable, the Minister witnessed several flights by private aeroplanes. There is a marked difference, he stated, between the recklessness of the unofficial aviators and the cautious and painstaking methods of the military experimenters.

' IMMIGRATION. Questioned on the subject of immigration, Mr. Allen said that While at Home he conducted numerous enquiries and brought back an immense mass of material, which would be handed over to the Hon. H.' D. Bell, the Minister in Charge of Immigration. The High Commissioner was also collecting information. The existing organisation for obtaining immigrants in England was not good, and Mr. Bell would probably find it necessary to carry out some reorganisation. "I can't say what he will do," continued Mr. Allen, "but I think it very likely that a lecturer, or perhaps two, may be employed to visit likely districts. Possibly a member of the High Commissioner's staff may be employed in this capacity, and a lady may be appointed to act as second lecturer. These, of course, are merely possibilities. Another matter calling for attention is that, to a small extent, families, including children who are feeble-minded, have • been accepted as immigrants. • This was reported to me by the Education Department, after I got to Londdn. The existing; law does not seem to cover this possibility, and Mr. Bell may introduce an amendment. I think he will."