AIR MAIL DELAYS

Evening Star, Issue 22989, 21 June 1938, Page 8

AIR MAIL DELAYS

STEAMER CONNECTION ONLY TEMPORARY TASMAN AIR SERVICE SOON [Special to the ‘ Stae.’l WELLINGTON, June 21. The real value of the new Empire air mail service will be seriously discounted by occasional long gaps m steamer communication across the xasman. Although flying boats will be making two complete' tnps weekly between Southampton and Sydney, the Dominion’s mails might pile up tor 8 to 10 days under winter time table conditions. ~, , , This point was submitted to the Prime Minister, who declared jthat it was only a temporary inconvenience. “ We are hopeful of getting the mails across the Tasman by air very soon, stated Mr Savage. “ Only yesterday 1 authorised cables to the British and Australian Governments agreeing to certain proposals which had been made, and the representatives of the Governments concerned will meet in London in the very near future to finalise it. If we had to depend on steamers across the Tasman for any considerable time, wo would have to make better arrangements, but we are concentrating on an air service.” The Prime Minister scouted the idea that New Zealand’s mails would take a subsidiary place on the Empire flying boats, pointing out that the arrangement was a mutual partnership between the Governments for a full service, with ample room for all mails. New Zealand’s representative in the London conference will be Mr Jordan, High Commissioner, as it is not necessary to send a Minister when Mr Jordon is quite capable, and fully informed.