FEDERAL AIR FORCE.

Taranaki Daily News, 15 August 1921, Page 5

FEDERAL AIR FORCE.

LAUNCH OF FIRST SEAPLANE. MR. HUGHES EULOGISED. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Received August 13, 5.5 p.m. London, August 12. Mrs. Hughes launched the first seaplane of the Australian naval aircraft at the Fairy aviation works, Southampton. Mr. Hughes was not present. General Seely presided, the company including General Branckner, General Sykes, representatives of the air forces and Major Coates. General Seely, in proposing “Success to the Commonwealth”, coupled with the name of Mrs. • Hughes, eulogised Mr. Hughes’ far-sightedness in instituting the Commonwealth Air Force; also the services rendered at the Imperial Conference by Mr. Hughes and the other Dominion Premiers, who had stood at Mr. Lloyd George’s right hand in the recent critical period. General Seely hazarded a conjecture that if there had been no Imperial Conference there would have been no move to settle the Irish question. The spectacle of the Dominions participating as sister States in the Imperial crisis was an invaluable object lesson, which appealed to the Irish leaders.

Mr. Hunter (Queensland) commented on the Government’s foresight in organising seaplanes while the other Dominions were only thinking of them. Six seaplanes would be ready in September, each carrying three people, besides bombs, machine guns and wireless. They would be capable of a speed of 110 miles an hour, being fitted with Rolls Royce engines. Mrs. Hughes launched the plane, which successfully flew over Southampton, carrying four, including General Seely and Mrs Coates.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.