The Daily News. TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 1921. EMPIRE AIR SERVICE.

Taranaki Daily News, 29 November 1921, Page 4

The Daily News. TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 1921. EMPIRE AIR SERVICE.

One of the many subjects that occupied the attention of the recent conference of Premiers in London was the desirability of establishing an Imperial air service. There appears to be no question as to the necessity and practicability of such a service, which would certainly be the means of carrying into effect that demand for rapid inter-communication which is so essential for the well-being of the Empire and its units. Last week the subject was revived by the Agent-General for Tasmania (Mr. A. H. Ashbolt), who delivered an interesting address at the Royal Society of Arts in which the matter was dealt with in a practical way. It might be considered that the risks were so great that they formed a barrier to any scheme that might be decided upon proving a success, but in these days such risks are regarded merely as imperfections to be overcome. Mr. Ashbolt frankly admitted that zeppelins were comparatively a failure in the recent war, but since then the main defect in their use under all weather conditions has been remedied by the provision of motoring masts, an invention that has proved a success. It would seem that the only serious risk that has to be guarded against is construction defects, a matter for exhaustive tests of every part of the machine before being used for the purpose for which it is intended. Although the cost of construction of airships has been reduced since the Imperial Conference met, yet the expense must necessarily be large if security is to be studied. In effect the main problem that has to be met if an Empire air service is to materialise is finance, for it must be evident even to the lay mind that subsidies must be granted both by the Imperial Government and the Governments of Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and India. Mr. Ashbolt explained that the reason for omitting Canada temporarily from the scheme was due to the length of her sea route, which is

also considered the worst within the Empire. Manifestly Canada must be brought into this scheme, otherwise it will not be complete, besides which the importance of that Dominion is such that, no matter whieh may be the magnitude of the difficulties to be overcome, they should be met and conquered. Again and again has been stressed the demand for further linking up the Empire by means of rapid transit as well as by a wireless chain. Both are waiting to be utilised, and can be at the service of the units as soon as the provision for the necessary finance enables the projects to be carried out. It can readily be conceived that an adequate fleet of airships would add to the feeling of security of the Empire and would play a most important part in its progress and solidarity. Whether the figures as stated by Mr. Ashbolt are anyway near the mark is not very material. Even assuming that the airships cost a quarter of a million, and that the annual subsidy was three quarters of a million, the total amount involved, when shared on a fair basis by Britain and the Dominions concerned, the result, from an Empire point of view, would justify the expenditure. There is no immediate necessity for entering into this project, rather would it be prudent to await better financial conditions. In the meantime the scheme could be formally arranged, and if thought desirable, experimental trips could be made by the existing airships in order to ascertain more accurately the conditions of actual service so as to ensure that new ships will benefit in their construction from the experience of the pioneers. Inasmuch as it seems to be agreed that Egypt shall be the first step and will be a stopping-place for the whole air fleet this fact should be taken into consideration by the Imperial authorities when settling the future of that country. Should occasion arise it would be an immense advantage to concentrate the whole air fleet on any par-i ticular area, for though these vessels are primarily intended for use in times of peace, their assistance in the event of sudden I trouble would be most valuable. Mr. Ashbolt estimates the time of the trip between Britain and Australia (including stoppages) at ten days, though it is probable m the near future this can be materially reduced. If, as is most likely, the other leading nations take up and foster long distance aviation, it is all the more incumbent on the British Empire to take .and keep the lead in this matter. The matter is one that particularly appeals to British enterprise as well as patriotism, and may properly be taken in hand in the right spirit when circumstances permit.