FLYING-BOATS TO BE USED

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 72, 18 December 1935, Page 11

FLYING-BOATS TO BE USED

Britain-Australia-New Zealand Air Mail REORGANISATION SCHEME SUBMITTED By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Sydney, December 17. A complete reorganisation of the airmail service between Australia and England, involving the substitution of flying-boats for aeroplanes, will probably be approved at a meeting of the Federal Cabinet on January 22. The flyingboats at first may be flown only as far as Darwin, but it is intended eventually to continue the service to Sydney and later to New Zealand. The overseas service was discussed by a special sub-committee of the Federal. Cabinet yesterday, and it is understood that most of the Ministers favoured acceptance, with certain modifications, of a plan prepared by Imperial Airways.

This plan provides for the whole service to be controlled by Imperial Airways, and that the Commonwealth shall pay an annual subsidy of £150,000. Ministers admitted that they were greatly impressed by the scheme. An important aspect was that Australia would be saved a great deal of expense in establishing an air-mail service to New Zealand. The flying-boats would provide safe travelling, and would be able to carry all the passengers and mail offering. MINISTER EXPLAINS Suspension of DHB6 License Sydney, December 17. The Minister of Defence, Hon. R. A. Parkhifl, replying to criticism in England, explained that the temporary suspension of certificates for DHSb aeroplanes in Australia was purely a precautionary measure in the interests of the. safety of the' travelling public. He had been influenced by the fact that 21 lives had been lost in DHB6 aeroplanes. NEW ZEALAND LINK Details of Proposed Scheme By Telegraph—Press Association. Dunedin, December 17. The Postmaster-General (the Hon. F. Jones) states that tentative plans have been prepared for an air service between London and New Zealand in seven and a half days. It is proposed to charge lid. for a half-ounce letter, not in addition to the present postage, but inclusive Of the present penny post°The proposed aeroplanes are fourengined and will be provided with every facility for comfort. Each machine, added Mr. Jones, would weigh seven and a half tons. It was expected that three tons of letters would arrive from England and Australia each week, and that two tons would go out. The service is to be twice

weekly. CHRISTMAS MAIL • LATE Darwin, December 17. Owing to the delay of Imperial Airways machines the overseas Christmas air"mail to Australia will be 24 hours late. The two aeroplanes carrying ISOOIb. of mail are now due at Darwin on Wednesday afternoon.