IN THE AIR.

Taranaki Daily News, 26 May 1916, Page 5

IN THE AIR.

WHAT BRITAIN HAS DOME

"A MARVELLOUS iCfflEVrni !C:

Received May 23, 7.15 p.m,

_ n London, May 24. In the House of Lords the air debate was continued. ~L ord Galway said it was hard t0 think that after twenty-one months of war it was necessary to inquire what the Government's air policy was. They did not yet possess Mr. Churchill's promised air fleet. Lord Haldane said our weakness in air ships was due to the Admiralty's failure to accommodate itself to the new conditions.

Lord Curzon said the nation had every reason to be proud of the air service, •which was a marvellous achievement accomplished since the war, and second to none in enterprise. There was no fear of comparisons with the Germans. Our men at the front were showing their mastery of the air in daily combats. Britain was now better defended against air raids, and the invaders were more and more chary, though they might be contemplating somet&ng 'bigger than ever. The new Aa: Board would be especially concerned in applying science to air problems. There was much to be done in co-ordinating and organising material and the supply of machines. The Board would consist of himself, Admirals Tudor, Vaughan and Lee, Generals Henderson and Branker, Major Baird, and Lord Sydenham. Lord Curzon agreed that a single department under a Minister with wide powers was the beat solution, but the present was not an opportune time, as there was not sufficient agreement at the War Olfict and the Admiralty. Suc-li an attempt would mean dislocation and friction;' but complete unification would come in time, as conscription had come, i>y general agreement and with the support of the two services and their Ministers, lit would be the Board's duty to report thereupon when the time was ripe, and, in the meantime, endeavor to [.rovent rivalry overlapping the services. The Board was already examining the questions of long range offensives, anti-raid defences, the development of airships and aeroplanes of great variety, questions of equipment, inventions, training facilities, and national factories, factories. The debate lapsed. !