INLAND AIR MAIL SERVICES

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 138, 6 March 1936, Page 12

INLAND AIR MAIL SERVICES

Finality in a Few Days SURCHARGE ON LETTERS NOT DECIDED A statement that the Government had been going into the proposals for inland air mails, and that finality should be reached within the next few days, wa.s made by the I’ostm.-mter-General, lion, F. Jones, last night. Negotiations were being conducted with the companies' controlling the air services on the basis of a surcharge on letters, but the amount had not yet been determined. Mr. Jones said it was proposed to inaugurate services on routes in respect of which the companies were prepared Io enter into agreements. It was not intended to interfere with the existing air mail service on the West Coast of the South Island. This was operated on a definite contract and handled only a small quantity of mail to and from South Westland.

It was'unlikely that any long-term agreements would be entered into, continued the Minister. The services would he operated for a short time with the object, of determining the response of the public on the various routes. It was hoped the Government would have the co-operation of the people in establishing the services. The Government was examining the. whole position regarding tlie transTasman service, and although a Minister could not be sent io attend a conference between Australian Ministers and the British Government, it was likely New Zealand would be represented, probably by the High Commissioner, Sir James Parr. The New Zealand Government’s attitude in the matter would be forwarded to England. By the time the question of the trans-Tas-man service had been finalised the Government would have some idea of how the inland lines were working. Their continuance would depend entirely on the results.

Although the Minister was unable to say what the surcharge will be, it is stated that the negotiations are on the basis of a charge of an additional Id. a letter.