ALL LETTERS BY AIR

Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21580, 17 September 1935, Page 12

ALL LETTERS BY AIR

AUSTRALIAN CABINET APPROVES PLAN SERVICE EVERY DAY CANBERRA, September 6. The first section of the Post-master-General's Department's plan for the carrying of all first-class mail matter by aeroplane, throughout the Commonwealth, without surcharge, is to be put in hand immediately, the Cabinet decided -today. • The first year's work of organisation is to be on the ground. Expenditure this financial year on the scheme will be devoted to the preparation of aerodromes, landinggrounds, and an expert consideration of machines. The Cabinet decided that, owing to the heavy expense involved in the establishment of the full project —estimated at £7so,ooo—and the many other urgent demands that would be made on the Treasury in 1935-36, it would be impracticable to have the service in operation this year.

It was agreed, however, to makean appropriation of approximately £IO,OOO for the preliminary work. The broad scheme, approved by the Cabinet, will link all capitals, and enable letters posted in the afternoon in Brisbane to be delivered in Sydney, Melbourne, and Adelaide the following morning, and at Hobart by mid-day. The Department during this year wili appiy itself to the provision of an elaborate ground organisation all over the Commonwealth, involving the improvement of existing aerodromes, and the provision of more emergency landing grounds, fuelling depots, light and radio beacons, and meteorological services. There will also be some discussion of equipment, enabling mail, aeroplanes to communicate with each other while in the air. Commonwealth-owned aeroplanes Will not be used, but tenders will be called for all contracts. The cost is not expected to be excessive. An important statement of the Government's proposal will be made in the budget next month. It is hoped that by the commencement of the 1936-37 financial year everything will be in readiness for the establishment of this new plan, and provision will be made accordingly in that year's budget. According to official information, it is possible in the present state of postal finances to revert to pennyhalfpenny postage for letters. The plan, however, is to apply the surplus—estimated at £2,000,000 at the end of the financial year, next June —to the establishment of a daily air mail service between the capital cities This will absorb about £300,000 for estab.ishment, and running costs will amount to about £250,000 annually. The Cabinet has been impressed with the defence aspect of a daily air service between the capitals as a supplementary means of training pilots, ground engineers, and mechanicians, who could be enlisted in an emergency.

Thus, it is probable that the halfpenny reduction in letter rates will be withheld until the air mail scheme has been put into operation.