IMPERIAL AIR SERVICE.

Press, Volume LXV, Issue 19622, 18 May 1929, Page 22

IMPERIAL AIR SERVICE.

CAPE TOWN-LONDON. FINANCIAL SUPPORT FROM AFRICA. (raox ottb own corScspohsMt.) LONDON, April 5. Negotiations for ' the establishment of a weekly air line from London to Cape Town have been completed by the Government. Expenses will be shared between Britain and South Africa, Sudan, Kenya, Tanganyika, and Uganda. This new line will bring Cape Town within 12 days of London. The announcement that negotiations had been completed was made by Sir Samuel Hoare, the Air Minister, in the House of Commons. He recalled his statement during the debate on the Air Estimates that he was actively negotiating with the various governments and- administrations concerned —more particularly with the Government in the Union of South Africa—for the institution of a weekly service between London and Cape Town—one of the great trunk routes of the Empire. The House would be glad to know that these negotiations had been brought to a successful issue, the Union Government having intimated its willingness to make a substantial contribution towards the working expenses for a five-year period, and otherwise offer full support" and co-operation. Other administrations concerned, Sudan, Kenya, Tanganyika, and Uganda had already offered to contribute. The Government were therefore in a position to proceed with that most important service, which would be of the utmost benefit to all the African territories which were traversed, and would accelerate Imperial communications -with benefit to ihe Empire generally. There was necessarily mneli preliminary work still to be done to ensure the smooth and punctual working of the service, but now that the provision of the necessary finance w-aa assured he had every hope that before many months were passed that great route—the African'' section of which was over "6000 .mites fa length—would be in regular operation. . Cape Town would thus be "brought within 12 days of London, and even larger proportionate savings would be effected in the " time taken t6 reach other imp6rtant centres ' throughout Africa. Sir Samuel added that the route would be easily the longest commercial air roote in the world.