It will have been with this in view that, addressing the employees at the works of the British and Colonial Aeroplane Company a few weeks back, Mr Lloyd George emphasised the need of a greater output of aeroplanes.
He pointed out that the German air fleet was more numerous than the British, and illustrated the importance of an efficient air-service when he said: ''It is the only way we can detect the hidden gun emplacements of the enemy. These splendid aviators and observers find out exactly where the trenches and the guns are and then our artillery gets to work, and when they have smashed away defences our infantry will turn the Germans out of the trenches.''
There is a growing impression, born perhaps of the abortive Zeppelin raids upon England, that the airmen of the Allies, given a sufficient number of aeroplanes, could make an even more important contribution to the success of the present campaign than that hinted at by Mr Lloyd George.
The suggestion has been thrown out that with an air fleet comprising 1000 or more machines, a combined attack could be made upon Krupp's works at Essen with the possibility that such damage might be caused as would practically end the war.
It is estimated by experts that such a fleet could be built and equipped within a few months at a cost of £10,000,000. Whether such a splendid project is within the range of possibility must be left for those in authority to decide.
The Overseas Club has in the meantime launched a scheme of a less ambitious character.
The cost of a fully-equipped aeroplane is about £1500, and the Overseas Club is inviting donations from all parts of the Empire to a fund the object of which is that the British air fleet may be sensibly augmented.
The scheme, which has the approval of his Majesty the King and of Lord Kitchener, is one that readily appeals to the imagination.
• A well-dressed woman attracted the attention of some of the employees by her actions when she was shopping on Thursday morning (states the Auckland Star).
She carried a muff and a basket, and made successive inspection of the goods displayed on a number of counters in the shop, till a member of the firm became convinced that things were not quite right, and he accosted the woman, and eventually handed her over to the police.
In a net bag, which was inside her basket, were found two towels, a hat, two cakes of soap, three lengths of silk, a length of velvet, and two packets of shaving cream, which were alleged to have been lifted by the woman.
• A gentleman engaged in the trade informed a New Zealand Times reporter last week that the price of tea was bound to go up shortly in view of the unprecedented demands made by the Allied armies, especially by the Russians, who were the greatest tea drinkers in the world.
They have created such an enormous demand for tea that the rest of the world will have to go short.
Tea is a favourite beverage of the Britisher, especially ''Tommy Atkins'', who uses no less than 2,000,000lbs a month.
The tea merchants of the dominion are reported to be viewing the position with alarm, and predict an early rise in prices. - ODT, 4.8.1915.
• COPIES OF PICTURE AVAILABLE FROM ODT FRONT OFFICE, LOWER STUART ST, OR WWW.OTAGOIMAGES.CO.NZ
