AIRSHIP TRANSPORT.

Taranaki Daily News, 23 July 1921, Page 4

AIRSHIP TRANSPORT.

It is quite conceivable that the question of airship transport between Britain and the Dominions should appeal to the members of the Premiers’ Conference and arouse their keenest interest. It has long been recognised. that some much speedier means of in-ter-communieation than existed in the past was necessary for the welfare of the Empire. Such great strides have been made in the improvement of aircraft that it seems the time has arrived when it has become possible to seriously consider the establishment of a fleet of airships that will provide a regular service between the Dominions and Britain. The fact that the conference has appointed a technical expert committee to inquire into and report upon the matter may be taken as evidence that the idea has gone beyond the academical stage and entered the realm of practicability. Apparently there are three schemes which merit, consideration, but it may be that the committee of experts will evolve some other plan. One thing is certain, namely, that both Britain and the Dominions will, under any scheme, be called upon for substantial subsidies. The development of aerial transport, and the perfecting of the wireless system, will not only be a great boon in times of peace, but will be appreciable factors in times of hostilities, so that any subsidy required will have to be viewed in the light of the dual benefits these services will give the Empire. Necessarily voyages by airships must be divided into convenient stages, but there should be no difficulty on that head. Risks there will be, though possibly not greater than those which face ocean transport. The Empire cannot merely contemplate the development of aerial services with folded hands and allow the business to be exploited by foreign nations. Whatever is done should be on a thoroughly, business-like system, that can be improved and expanded from time to time, otherwise it should be left alone, though that would be a slur on British enterprise. Eventually such a venture should pay its way. Meanwhile the move is coßuae-dsbl”