TRANSPORT BY AIR.

Taranaki Daily News, 21 July 1921, Page 5

TRANSPORT BY AIR.

LINKING THE EMPIRE. IMPORTANT PROPOSALS. AIRSHIPS TO BE USED,. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Received July 20, 10.20 p.m. London, July 19. An Air Ministry communique states that the Governments policy on the airship question contemplates the formation of a company with capital controlled by British shareholders, the Air Ministry being represented on the board. Only three schemes merit consideration. The first is that outlined by Mr. As'bbolt, and the second is that of My. M. N. Greenhill, who proposes a company with £4,000.000 capital, the Government to equip and adapt for commercial work the existing airships free of cost, and hand over all material free, the Government also to pay a subsidy of £300,000 per annum until the company is on a paving basis. The proposal also Asks the Dominions to pay a small subsidy when regular services are established. Both these proposals contemplate developing routes to Egypt. India, South Africa and Australia. The third scheme l is that submitted by Lieut -Commander Ballantyne, covering the operation of existing airships between (England and Italy, Egypt and South Africa. He proposes to form a company of £2,000 000 capital, the first issue being £1,250,000, the Government handing over existing material free of charge, and during the development period handing over an annual sum not exceeding six per cent, on the paid-aip capital. This will be repaid when the company is on a paying basis. The Premiers’ Conference appointed a technical expert, committee under teachairmanship of the Secretary of State for the Air. The committee consists of Lord Gorell, Sir Hugh Trencbard and Sir Frederick Sykes (of the Air Ministry), Mr. Burslow (representing the Treasury), Mr. James Stevenson (Colonial Office), Sir Ross Smith (Australia and New Zealand), Mr. Mentz, and representatives of Canada and India. The committee will meet immediately and report to the conference before the latter breaks up. The Dominions will be asked to say what amount they can contribute.. The British Government will then decide whether to ask Parliament for a subscription. If airship communication is to be developed within the Empire a chain of stations will be required, consisting of two or three bases, and also a certain number of mooring masts. Proof must also be given that regularity equal to. the existing transport can be obtained on long distance flights.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.