Jan. 17.
Major C. C. Turner, the well-informed "aviation correspondent fof the "Daily Telegraph," in a Tecent article on the Chinese arrow plane market, touched very perfluently on a subject which has long exercised the minds of those endeavouring to promote British aviation interests in China when the drew attention to the lamentable position Britain occupies in a trading field of increasing importance. Although Britain has Tong been a pioneer in aviation and British aeroplanes, the products of an industry which bows no head to foreign constructors, have transformed communications ideas throughout the world, in China manufacturers unfortunate have been able to obtain only meagre representation. Among the hundreds of aeroplanes said to China in recent years, Loth military and civil, the British quota "is very small. Amerfcan enterprise and initiative, jlustrated bby the visits to China' of leading airmen and demonstrators and backed by high-powered salesmanship, gave that country a very early lead and the concentration by "American manufacturers this market assisted in swinging the balance of popularity fiom any other competitor. Since that time Italian manufacturers, under government inspiration. have devoted considerable attention to the [Chinese market, and following the dispatch of an' air mission which thoroughly investigated possibilities and placed its services and experience at the disposal of the Chinese authorities it can now be said that Italy definitely dominates the market having displaced the United States. In this race Britain leccupies a very poor position because even German and French competition has become a factor with which the British effort must reckon.
The situation as outlined by Major Turner is accurate in its description, although he overlooks the reasons which have created it. Furthermore, however forcibly the facts are presented, any assessment must not be made in the light of disparagement of the splendid efforts of the Americans and the Italians in attaining this position so unfavourable to Britain. No chapter in the development of modern China has been marked by such a degree of international enterprise and assistance, courageously undertaken and freely offered a that dealing with aviation, both civil and military. By the appointment of air advisers and air missions which paved the way for subsequent purchases, the asdstance given to the Nanking Government by the establishment of raining schools such as the Central Flying School at Hangenow and its staffing by competent instructors und cechniclans and a thorough study of the market by skilled representatives always ready to follow up advantages provided by such Uberally-offered ce-operation, the Americans and the "Italians fully deserve their ascendancy. Linking their efforts to a growing air consciousness among the Chinese people, largely fostered by political events of the last three years, the result has been the definite creation of an air establishment in China and the opening of a market which should amply reward the initiative dis played. In the case of Italy, of course, an additional impetus has been provided by the decision of the Italian Government to remit Italian Boxer Indemnity funds back to China in the form of credits for the purchase of Tta'ian While on every hand there is the readiness to recognize and admire the efficiency of the American and lion effort, #t is disappointing to realize that British manufacturers are not taking a greater share of the market. There is no question of the relative merit of British machines. In China the authorities undoubtedly appreciate the quali-{ties of British aircraft both as regards material, workmanship and Performance, and the foreign ad-cannot be found in patent unreali- visers to the Government seem dered somewhat unlikely until prepared to recommend what: s in the best interests of Chinese. avia~ tion even to the exclusion of the fireraft' manufactured by their town countries. There is no reason doubt their sincerity. in this respect. As proof of this there jean be quoted the fact that] machines recently seen fying ever [Shanghai were Breguets, of French manufacture. What then is the!
Treason which is holding tack British manufacturers? It is p.obably to be found in the reluctance of British manufacturers to pay any attention to China in view of the more attractive and assured busi-ess at home and in other foreign countries. The Air Min-{stry's contracts for machines for the Royal Air Force constitute attractive business which keeps the workshops busy and ensures cer fain financial return, and with the [Government committed to a large increase in the number of sqaedrons as a part of the plan for enlarging the Royal Air Force, there {is further promise of work—for some years to come. This easily explains why the inquiry from the foreign field is met with the reply that delivery cannot be promised for months to come, This 1s a short view to take of a situation which might conceivably lead to the permanent displacement of British machines in a developing market. It would be foolish to neglect the potentialities of aviation development in China especially having regard to the con fidence which Chinese and other nationalities place in the rellabiity and quality of British aircraft, Group representation as suggested by Major Turner working on the' lines of other alfcraft manufac turers who reduce commissions to meet Chinese business conditions and study the needs of the country in order to give utmost satisfaction [commensurate with requirements a practical method of approach, ut the essential need is the realization of the dangers of permitting the question to slide at a time when aggressive activities on the part of other countries is rapidly placing them in an unfassaflable position at the expense fof the British aircraft industry,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.