He expressed satisfaction that the speed race in the great London-Melbourne contest had been won by British machine and a British engine and Paid tribute to the excellent performance of the Douglas Jmachine flown by the very able Netherlaids pilots. He did not think, Inowever, that they would claim that ithe time had yet arrived when it was [Possible to contemplate a speed of 200 miles an hour on a regular schedule flown in all weather. The lessons of ithe race were apparent, but he did mot wish tobe" thought that any Ispecial action on the part of the Alr [Ministry was attendant on the result Jot such an event.
Referring to the plans for the further development of commercial mit transport, he said they had reached the conclusion that the Jpresent ying times between London land other Empire capitals must. be lorogressively and drastically curtailed.
Obviously a great dear of prepara tory work must be done and the lclosest_and fullest consultation with the Dominions and Colonies was necessary preliminary to the final formulation of a definite scheme, (They had ne intention of making their plans public prematurely.
Conversations with ofielals Singapore, he continued, had ted [him to the belief that the difficulties in the way of an extension to China lof the Imperial Airways service to [Singapore were being overcome. He Iwas hopeful that a service to China would eventually "be Inaugurated.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.