AIR POLICY

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 56, Issue 96, 4 February 1936, Page 5

AIR POLICY

PROPOSALS IN AUSTRALIA. INTERNAL DEVELOPMENT. 81-WEEKLY TASMAN MAIL. (United Press Association—Copyright.) (Received This Day, 12.5 p.m.) SYDNEY, This Day. The Minister of Defence (Mr R. A. Parkhill), addressing his constituents at Mossman, gave a full review of the Commonwealth air policy and some reasons why the Commonwealth had rejected the British Government’s air mail scheme. Mr Parkhill said: “Australia wants to play a full part in an Empire air scheme, but considers internal development must come first.” Two points he mentioned against the British scheme were that the control of the Dam in* Singapore route was commercially and strategically vital to Australia and that an inland route to Darwin was of greater strategic importance than tho coastal routo suggested by Britain. The Minister announced the following plans for immediate development:

Reduction in the surcharge on overseas letters from Is 6d to 6d. Reduction in transit time between Singapore and Brisbane fiom four to three days. Affording the fullest possible encouragement to civil aviation because of the important pait it must play in defence.” Improving the speed, frequency and carrying capacity of both the internal and the overseas services.

Other proposals for the development of civil aviation in Australia include: Provision of high-speed night-flying services between the capital cities. Bi-weekly air mail service to New Zealand. Weekly service between Australia and New Guinea. Manufacture of aircraft in Australia.