AIR MAIL PLANS

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21715, 24 February 1936, Page 11

AIR MAIL PLANS

BRITAIN INSISTENT ON FLYINGBOATS MACHINES ORDERED APPROVAL OF AUSTRALIAN SCHEME UNLIKELY j (united i'kess association— copyaiGH*.) (Received February 23, 8.16 p.m.) LONDON, February 21. The suggestion in Australia that the Cabinet is seeking an air mail plan acceptable to Britain, while eliminating the use of flying-boats, is unlikely to be well received, as the employment of identical craft throughout the London-Sydney service, enabling complete interchangeability arid minimising operational problems, is regarded as an integral part of the British proposal. As 29 flying-boats have been ordered for Empire routes, it is improbable that Britain will forgo her preference for them. The Australian Associated Press is now authoritatively informed that it is inevitable that Britain will conduct an independent service if Australian co-operation is not forthcoming-

IThe latest statement on the negotiations between Britain and Australia to reach a compromise on a scheme for an Empire air mail service, was by the Commonwealth Prime l Minister, Mr J. A. Lyons. He said that the British authorities- had submitted modified proposals which did not vary greatly from the original proposals. These were being examined by the Federal Cabinet.]

DISCUSSION WITH NEW ZEALAND

IMMEDIATE EXCHANGE OF VIEWS MESSAGE TO MR SAVAGE (Received February 23, 7.5 p.m.) CANBERRA, February 22. The Prime Minister (Mr J. A. Lyons) states that it will not be possible to send a Minister to New Zealand immediately to discuss the Empire air mail proposals, and for the same reason expressed in New Zealand, namely, that Parliament is about to assemble.

Mr Lyons added that he agreed with Mr Savage that it was essential that consideration of the subject should not be delayed. Consequently a cablegram is being sent to-day to the New Zealand Government advising fully the Federal Government's views, and that when its reply is received the matter would be fully discussed by Cabinet.