BRITISH PROPOSALS

Evening Post, Volume CXIX, Issue 49, 27 February 1935, Page 9

BRITISH PROPOSALS

LOW AIR-MAIL POSTAL RATE

OPINION IN SYDNEY

Cnltcd Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright. ■

SYDNEY, February 26. Mr. R. A. Parkhill, Minister of Defence, states that if the air-mail proposals of the British delegation are accepted by the Commonwealth a 15 years' agreement providing for revision every three years will be sought The Minister said that the question of the extent to which an agreement would be entered into had not yet; been resolved. The "Sun" says that it is understood that Australian and New Zealand dele-'I gates-stall hold the view that the ljd! per ounce rate proposed b^ Britain would impose a prohibitive cost on the Commonwealth and the Dominion ! and that a .move is being: made to strike a compromise at a rate of 2sd. It is also understood that some delegates may suggest that flying-boats be employed between Singapore and Darwin and land aeroplanes between Darwin and Sydney as an alternative to the proposal 'to employ flying-boats throughout. TRANS-TASMAN SERVICE. No official statement relating to the conference's discussions has yet been issued, but it is believed that the question of a trans-Tasman air service was considered today,- the proposal being a weekly service between Sydney and New Zealand. Mr. Adam Hamilton, New Zealand Postmaster-General, stated tonight- that the conference had been engaged in discussing many intricate : problems. There were still a few Australian difficulties to be overcome, and until that was achieved it was not possible. to proceed further with discussion of the position as it applies to New Zealand. The New Zealand delegates 'tonight attended an airways exhibition, which was officially opened by Mr. Parkbill. The exhibition includes photographs along the England to Australia air route and models of many.••'types'■' of aeroplanes,- especially those employed in the air-mail service. Mr..Hamilton congratulated the Commonwealth on the development of aviation, adding that the flight to New Zealand by Hewett and Kay after competing in the Centenary Air Race .demons strated the feasibility of linking up.the Dominion with the great Empire air services. He paid, a tribute?to the pioneering work of Sir Charles Kingsford Smith and Mr. C. T. P.. Ulnrin this respect. ,'.-.. ; ■ . :; ~. ;