The Daily News. TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 1916. DEVELOPMENT OF AERIAL WARFARE.

Taranaki Daily News, 14 November 1916, Page 4

The Daily News. TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 1916. DEVELOPMENT OF AERIAL WARFARE.

The remarkable activity exhibited during the past few days by the aircraft of the Allies and the. enemy draws attention to the development of this new arm, as well as to tJie methods of its attack. One of this morning's cable messages states that the old leisurely air combats are now affairs of the past, being replaced by swifter, more breathless, and more reckless duels. Nothing but actual warfare could have evolved the science of aerial conflicts as it now stands revealed. Almost at a bound the experimental stage of aeronautics was left beliind when the war broke out, and since then there Jias been a continuous increase in the strength of the Flying Corps and in the scope of operations. Utilised at first mainly for the .purpose of observing the strength, position, and movements of enemy forces—technically known as reconnaissance work—the use of these lying machines was extended to observation of artillery fire ind acting as rangefinders. Then they undertook the duty of hampering the enemy's movements by destroying various points on his communications, as well as his means of transport. The scope of work was still further extended, as longer flights became possible, by raids on enemy aerodromes and munition depots, and r.ow they have arrived at the thrilling stage when they can do battle in the air with a tactical skill and infinity of resource that is nothing short of marvellous. Let anyone imagine such a contest as that which has jus* taken placa on the West front, where some seventy aeroplanes were engaged in a fierce battle 5000 feet in the air, where, high among the clouds is an inextricable tang'.e of machines, darting and whirling through ibe Air like huge

eagles engaged in mortal combnt," except that the silence is broken by thfe whirring of the propellors and the roar of the guns. There is no question that, as an arm of offence, the aeroplane 'has fur exceeded the most sanguine expectations, and the precision which has been attained is conclusive proof that these machines a're manned by scientific and intrepid aviators. Even the mighty aerial monsters evolved by Count Zeppelin 'have been forced; to succumb to the modest aeroplane. Moreover, the'utility of these aircraft as a defence against airships lias been freely proved although Zeppelins have again and again escaped after their raids on Britain. It is not surprising to find that Germany is at last realising the value of aeroplanes, and that she is copying Anglo-French tactics. There seems to be a coincidence in this last aerial battle taking place just about the same time as the report appears of Germany's intention to endeavor to recover air supremacy. The Germans have so far been completely outmastered by the Anglo-French aviators, and there is no doubt that the Allies will retain the supremacy of the air, in spite of all German efforts.

TRAMS ON SUNDAY. ! The Borough Council arrived at a compromise last night regarding the running of the trams dv.r' :g church hours on Sunday. The trams are to stop during the morning service, but to run uninterruptedly during the remainder of the day. The views put forward by some of the Councillors in the discussion are interesting, if not convincing, but 'how the Council is to escape from a charge of inconsistency we cannot see. If it is unfitting toi run trains during the morning service, then it is equally unfitting to do so during the evening service, but there, of course, is the fact, as put forward by an unsophisticated member, of the convenience of the many visitors to tlie port, homeward bound, to be consulted! The logical course is either to run the trams continuously on Sundays, or make a break at Church hours. There ig no middle course. The present decision • will give satisfaction to no side. In our view, the Council could quite properly have deferred to the wishes of the minority of church adherents, and stopped the trams for a couple of hours or so. True, a majority petition had been presented in favor of following the opposite course, but everyone knows 'how uracil dependence is to be placed on a petition as a guide to the desires or wishes of- the petitioners. The religious susceptibilities, however, of a small minority are entitled to respect and protection at the hands of a governing body, and elsewhere invariably receive it. Apart from this I onclusive reason, there is the other consideration put forward by one enlighteneS&Councillor, that the break in the servicer would serve to make the day a little different from the ordinary working day, and such a gentle reminder would not be without advantage in these utilitarian times. The finances of the trams are not going to be broken by brief spells on Sundays, nor the convenience of the public very seriously affected, and the Council missed a golden opportunity Inst evening of exhibiting a wide tolerance, a sweet reasonableness, and a regard r oir the religious feelings of a sectionmaybe, even a small section—of the community it ig supposed to guard and govern,