CIVIL AVIATION.

Taranaki Daily News, 14 September 1920, Page 5

CIVIL AVIATION.

USE OF GIFT AEROPLANES. BASIS OF DEFENCE SCHEME, (By Wire.—Parliamentary Reporter.) Wellington, Last Night. The Air Board has suggested to the Minister for Defence that some of the aeroplanes owned by the Government should be lent to the South Canterbury syndicate which is proposing to establish an aerial mail and passenger service between Timaru, Dunedhi, and Invercargill, and between Timaru and Mt. Cook. These machines were presented to New Zealand by the British Government, and it is recognised that they ought not merely to be held in 9tore, since they will become obsolete. The Government has not yet announced a decision concerning the Air Board's proposal, but some machines have been sent to Timaru to be used by the syndicate in making the necessary tests of the route. The company is to bear all expenses, and is responsible for the safety of the machines. Defence headquarters, as indicated in the defence report, believes that the development of aviation in this country is important, and that it ought to proceed at present along civilian lines. The maintenance of .an aerial force purely for defence purposes would be costly and unproductive, whereas the development of civil aviation will place a reserve of trained pilots and mechanics at the disposal of the Defence Department in time of war. It is intended that the pilots shall have a refresher course in military aviation.