The Daily News. TUESDAY, MARCH 21, 1922. EMPIRE AIR SERVICE.

Taranaki Daily News, 21 March 1922, Page 4

The Daily News. TUESDAY, MARCH 21, 1922. EMPIRE AIR SERVICE.

The recent statement made in the House of Commons by the Air Minister (Captain the Hon. F. Guest,) will come as a surprise to those who have been expecting much of the scheme for an Empire Air Service. The abandonment of the project is attributed to the failure to obtain adequate support from the Dominions, but what is more remarkable is that the Ministry has decided to hand over the airships to the Disposal Board for sale, though it is hoped that a portion of the skilled personnel will be retained. With commendable promptitude the Council of the British Empire lieague emphasised that as the establishment of an Imperial airship service was most important in the interests of the Empire, the Government was urged to provide the necessary guarantees for the establishment of a service at the earliest moment on a commercial basis, and demanding that, the airship personnel and plant should be retained, as was promised by. the Minister at the recent Air Conference. It is worthy of note that in January there were rumors as to the existence of the Air -Ministry being threatened, it being common knowledge that a section of the older service opposed this separate department, and. in view of the economy proposals, had evinced increased activity. Yet it was never considered that the Government would seriously consider a reversal of the decision deliberately made by the Imperial Parliament at the end of 1917, which was taken, not merely for the immediate purposes of the war, hut quite explicitly and definitely in view of the inevitable future development of commercial flying. There is a phase of this matter deserving of close attention. Field-Marshal Sir Henry Wilson, in a recent speech at Amiens, put forward the view that restriction of the power of aircraft was a matter worth considering. It is, however, regarded as obvious that any restriction which did not include commercial aircraft would be of doubtful use, since a certain adaptation of peace aircraft and personnel for war purpose is possible. Complete suppression is, therefore, impossible, as countries to whom aerial navigation offers very great conveniences would never consent, and. there would, as contended by Major C. C. Turner, always be a danger 'that a brigand Power won! d prepare secretly. This , aspect of the question was evidently in the minds of the plenipotentiaries of the Allied Powers when settling the provisions of the Peace Treaty, for one of the clauses stipulates that “the maintenance of German military or naval air forces is forbidden,” the prohibition against the possession of dirig ibles being most emphatic. Germany, however, was not forbidden lo possess commercial aeroplanes. There are indications of the possibility of the Germans being allow-

ed to carry on the manufacture of all classes of aircraft, and if that happens, nothing is more certain that that Britain may have grave cause to regret any step that restricts the development of airships, which, notwithstanding the many dangers inherent to that method of aerial navigation, can be made an effective means of defence by the outlying units of the Empire. It is impossible to separate the Imperial and commercial aspects, of this question. The project that was outlined by the Tasmanian Agent - General some months ago had for its object the establishment of a regular system of airways that would practically link up the whole world, but more particularly all the units of the Empire. One of the effects of the recent trade depression was the decline in British air transport, though French, Belgian and Dutch companies enjoyed increased business, the moral to be deduced therefrom being that insufficient encouragement was given to manufacturers of suitable aeroplanes and engines, while the mishaps to British and American dirigibles probably created a decrease of enthusiasm. Flying is still in its infancy, and airships are in a state of uncertainty, yet these factors are completely overshadowed by the imperative need for economy on the part of the whole Empire. The Dominions, under Mr. A. H. Ashbolt’s scheme, were to be contributors to the cost of Imperial airship services. That support has not been given, although the project was backed up by a definite offer of private capital on a large scale conditional on the Dominion Governments being parties to the proposed agreement. It is matter for regret that the necessity for stringent economy should have adversely affected such a desirable Empire service being inaugurated, and the experimental stages put in operation. This does not mean that the project is unworkable — merely that it must be held over till the advent of better times. That it will eventually materialise may be taken for granted. Under such circumstances it would seem that the British Government is taking a short-sighted view of the position in disposing of its airships, which could be utilised for good purpose for the experimental work which must be done before any world-wide programme of aeriai navigation becomes practicable. For that reason, as well for others that are equally patent, it is to fie hoped the Horne Government will reconsider the matter, for it is of the utmost imporanca that Britain should take the foremost place in aerial transport.