AIR MAIL TO'AUSTRALIA

Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 108, 10 May 1933, Page 9

AIR MAIL TO'AUSTRALIA

MINISTER'S MEMORANDUM

MAIN PROVISIONS

Dmltld fin* Atsoclatlon— By Eltctrle .T»l»----■r«pb—Copyright. ■ :; LONDON, May 9. The Air Minister, Lord Londonderry, has issued a, memorandum, embodying the principal provisions for a weekly service from Londoa to Australia, connecting with' a steamer for New Zealand. The proposed contract with Imperial Airways provides for, a serice between Karachi and Singapore, via Calcutta and Bangoon, connecting with the Lon-don-Karachi and Singapore-Darwin services. *■ .' ■ The agreement with Imperial Airways will run for approximately five years, commencing from the date of the opening of the Darwin-Singapore section, and terminating on-March'l, 1939, on which date the existing Anglo-Indian service agreement expires. ' The Kara-chi-Singapore section will be operated jointly by Imperial Airways and an Indian company. The maximum, subsidies for the Karachi-Singapore service will be £40,000 for the first year of the through, service to Australia, £30,000 for the second and third years, jfnd thereafter £20,000 annually. \ The Governments of India, the Straits Settlements, and Malaya have undertaken to provide and maintain landing grounds' and other facilities; including wireless meteorological re-' ports for their territories. Tor through mails between England and Australia Imperial Airways and the Indian company/ will receive^ 24s a pound. " '.' * , Lord Londonderry, says that the simultaneous inauguration of the Karachi-Singapore and Darwin-Singa-pore services is impracticable, therefore he proposes an interim service to Calcutta in July, Eangoon in October, and Singapore by the New Year, in connection with:which he is arranging special temporary terms. He confidently' expects- the, Darwin-Singapore section to operate by April. -■■-■■ The inclusive charge for;a half-ounce letter from Britain. to Australia;' and New Zealand will be Is 3d.