EMPIRE AIR SERVICES.

Taranaki Daily News, 5 November 1921, Page 5

EMPIRE AIR SERVICES.

HOME GOVERNMENT'S INACTION. DEFINITE POLICY WANTED By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. London, Nov. 3. Lieutenant Raper, member of the House of Commons, who served in the war as an air pilot, interviewed regarding the numerous questions in the House in relation to the Air Services, stated that he hoped to stir the Government to recover Britain’s Jost position in the air. He was keenly interested in Mr. W. H. Hughes’ enthusiasm in the direction of the establishment of a service connecting the Motherland and Australia. Lieutenant Raper added: “If the British Government does not show similar enthusiasm private enterprise will probably find the way. It will be a good thing if some rich and patriotic Australians joined hands with Englishmen in promoting the services. It is scandalous that Britain is so far behind France in the matter of aerial communication with her colonies. If the right people were to come forward the Government would probably guarantee a certain quantity of mail. France already has six international air routes, and proposes, in 1922, to create further connections with her colonies.” Lieutenant Raper said that he was pressing the Government to outline a definite policy on civil and military aviation. THE WEATHER FACTOR. OVERCOMING DIFFICULTY. Received Nov. 4, 5.5 p.m. London, Nov. 3. Mr. Holt Thomas, the aviation authority, states that regular aeroplane services to India, South Africa and Australia are certainly practicable, for the worst climatic conditions that could be encountered occurred in North Europe, and the cross-Channel services were daily overcoming them. If the Imperial and Dominion Governments were prepared to guarantee a minimum annual quantity of air mail matter, he had no doubt a company to undertake services could be readily formed and financea. The Channel services showed that receipts amounting to 3s per ton per mile were now profitable.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.