THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 24, 1912. AIR-SHIPS IN WAR.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10540, 24 January 1912, Page 4

THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 24, 1912. AIR-SHIPS IN WAR.

New Zealaiiders may not .bo so much concerned in the manufacture of airships as they are in the constructing of motor cars and bicycles. Still, as pant of the great Empire whose future depends upon vue perfection of its defence, inhabitants of 'tin's Dominion will be surprised to know that while Germany is expending large sums of ■money upon airships for use in times of war, itlie Home authorities are remaining inactive in this department of military efficiency. According to the London Times, the argument put forward iby Lord Haldatie is -that Germany is apparently varying the types of 'her airships, with a growing -fcetndency towards the aeroplane, and lie lias hinted that .perhaps an intermediate type of small airship might prove of the greatest value in warfare. His hesitancy therefore arises from -the.fact., that the aeroplane changes ©very month, and he has expressed the opinion, that as soon as the iWar Office 'have settled upon a typo they will offer prizes to manufacturers for their construction. The idea is thus to obtain the best design, irrespective of tho place of origin, and. afterwards to manufacture aeroplanes in Great Britain. It is safe to ass nine that the country which first produces an altogether satisfac-

Tory type will offer it at onco to the War Office, and that British manufacturers will immediately evolve the equipment needed for its. construction, little can. be said against the (policy, except that it is contrary to 1 experience gained in the manufacture | of ships, guns, apparatus for witless 'telegraphy, and almost every c-her item demanding engineering skill deI rived from experience and rearing time to be brought to perfection. While Lord Haldane is sitting upon the .fence, in. an exposed position, with the money in his pocket, waiting for 'a design, other countries are producing what is of more immediate value than a design—designers, con- ' structors, and an industry. There ie i.no finality in the design of aircraft. ' What is required, therefore, is the : steady .building up of a corps of de- , signers and constructors, to ensure | that Great Britain may at all times be equipped .with the 'best types atI tainable by her own native skill and effort.