British to Moke Test Flights Across

Central Pacific

A STATEMENT issued in January by the Society of British Aircraft Con structors, Ltd. contained the follow ing:— “Modified Short Empire flying-boats, strengthened to carry heavier loads than the standard craft now in service, have been allocated to the trans-Tasman mails and passenger run. Seaplane services on from Australia to New Zealand will be in augurated during the next few months.

“Later this year the flying-boats will be used to investigate Britain’s projected route in the Pacific.

“Test flights will be undertaken between New Zealand and islands and atolls in the Pacific which, during the next four or five years, may become important stations on the ‘All Red’ air route from England to New Zealand, across the Pacific to Canada, and thence across the Dominion and the North Atlantic back to England. Empire airliners will encircle the world.”