IN THE AIR.

Taranaki Daily News, 16 March 1916, Page 5

IN THE AIR.

SCHEME FOR GREAT BRITAIN. LACK OF EXdINES OVERCOME. PLENTY OF PILOTS. Received March 15, 9.28 p.m. London, March 15. Mr. Tcnnant, in introducing the Estimate?, gave a detailed statemeut of the system 'if air defences. He said the scale of defences agreed upon for London would be applied to the whole country. We were always handicapped, as compared with Germany and France, owing to the lack of engines, but high-powered engines of British manufacture were now coming forward and would produce a marked improvement, lie said provision was made for aeroplanes ahead of the supply of engines and pilots. We were . now producing monthly many pilots wlio had been mobilised at the commencement of the war, and even these would be largely increased in the near future. The War Office had concentrated on teaching pilots and was now reaping the reward. A school for anti-aeroplane training had been opened at Sheerness, with landing places and with lights provided for aeroplanes flying at night-time. Mfr. Billing advocated a more aggressive air policy. Mr. Balfour should order all existing material to be employed in raiding the enemy country, where we could exterminate the Zeppelins. The debate, wag adjourned.