AIRSHIP SERVICE.

Taranaki Daily News, 22 July 1921, Page 5

AIRSHIP SERVICE.

THE EMPIRE PROJECT. GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE. ESSENTIAL FOR SUCCESS. By Telegraph.-'Press Assn.-—Copyright. Received July 21, 9.15 p.m. London, July 20. The Australian Press Association interviewed Mr. A. H. Ashbolt (AgentGeneral for Tasmania) in reference to the Air Ministry’s communique in reference to the Imperial airship services scheme. Mr. Ashbolt said he had the highest official support and the best financial authority for saying that a commercial air service was practicable provided Government assistance was assured during the first ten years covering the experimental periods. The first period would probably be for two years, which should demonstrate the scientific and mechanical practicability of an inter-imperial service. The second period, about seven or eight years, should finalise the mechanical developments sufficiently to produce the highest type of airship capable of a round the world service at a maximum efficiency and speed and a minimum cost, so as to be commercially practicable. After that Government assistance would not be needed, except in the form of subsidies for mail and other services.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

Mr. A. H. Ashbolt (Agent-General •for Tasmania) proposes a company with a capital of £1,500,000, and the first issue will be £750,000, Australia to take up £lOO,OOO and New Zealand £55,000. It is proposed that the first service shall be to Egypt, and subsequently extend to India, Australia and South Africa. The ports of coll include Marseilles. Athens, Cairo, Basra, Bombay, Colombo, Singapore, Java, Perth, Melbourne, Sydney, Wellington, Mombassa, and Capetown. The first plant will comprise the existing British ships, which probably will suffice for a few years. It is anticipated that the airships will be capable of reaching India and South Africa in five days, and Australia and New Zealand in ten or twelve.