THE TASMAN FLIGHT

Taranaki Daily News, 23 March 1920, Page 5

THE TASMAN FLIGHT

THE POSSIBILITIES DISCUSSER HIGH POWER MACHINE WANTED. By Telegraph,—Press Ascbelatlon. Wellington, Last Night Attention has been directed recently to the possibility of a flight by aeroplane* from New Zealand to Australia, The Hon. J. Q. Coates, asked for his opinion on this proposal, said: "Via trip could not be undertaken by tho machines we have at present in the I)o» minion. In the first place the engine* in the machines we already have arc not powerful enough to cover the journey between hero and Sydney. It is not »o much the weather conditions as prevail across the Tasman Sea—a plane could easily withstand these—but the power of the engines and the storage capacity for benzine are, as I understand them, the most vital requirements for a trip of the kind to be made. "I must say. that for a New Zealand i machine, with a New Zealander aa pilot, ! successfully to cover the run to Australia would be a splendid achievement for ,' tlifc country, and it is a project lam i willing to give every assistance to bring about, but, as I say, we've got to get the machine, and this would not be a difficult matter. I propose submitting t« 'i the Prime Minister, and possibly to Cabinet, the whole question of air t»rvices in New Zealand with the object of ascertaining the Government's intention! in regard to services."