AERIAL MAIL

Greymouth Evening Star, 10 December 1934, Page 4

AERIAL MAIL

ENGLAND—AUSTRALIA SERVICE. [by CABLE —PiiESB ASSN. —COPYBIGHT.] LONDON, December S’. The- “Heugist,” , the aeroplane inaugurating th© Imperial Airways' Anglo-Australian service, left t<o-day. The Air Minister, Lord Londonderry, speaking of the inauguration of Hit service, said: “We ought not be content to rest on th© present achievement, but must press forward and improv© and strengthen it to meet the demand which will be made upon us. We have been told by some people that we ought to learn from other countries how to build aircraft, and to run air lines. As members of a. widely .scattered Empire, we have our own distinctive problem. We do not lack ability and confidence to solve them in our own way. Ido not doubt tho ultimate success of our endeavours.” Lord Londonderry handed to Sir Kingsley Wood (Postmaster General) letters from. Their Majesties and the Prince of Wales addressed to the Duke of Gloucester, Sir Isaac Isaacs, Lord Bledisloe, and others from British to Australasian Members .of Cabinet. Sir Kingsley Wood recaled the opening of the service to Karachi five and a-half years ago, when eight thousand letters were carried. To-day’s service thither included one, hundred thousand letters and live hundred pounds in parcels. He said:- “I am confident that the forging of the vital link in th© chain which the Australian service represents will result in a rise of traffic beyond anything yet experienced.” Mr. McLaren read a message from Mr. S. Bruce from Geneva, describing th 4 opening of the service as an epochmaking event in. the develpoment of Empire relations. Sir James Parr said this was a redletter day in New Zealand’s history. The air mail would assist to implement and reinforce the great Ottawa Agreement. ■ Sir Eric Geddes, responding to compliments to th© Imperial Airways Coy., passed by British and Dominion Go vermeil t representatives, said: “To those of us who ten years ago set out to build up Imperial air routes, this occasion has appeared as a dream coming true. Canada and New Zealand remain to be painted into the pic-' tore. I hope it will not be long before they ar© connected by ari with Britain.” . Lord Stonehaven, Sir Phillip bassoon, Imperial Airways - Coy. officials, and Agents-Geenrals were present. After th© speeches, the mail was stowed safely in the aeroplane. . Besides the letters from Their Majesties, their Christmas presents to the Duke of Gloucester were sent direct .to the piano from Sandrington. They are being delivered at Auckland. Sir Kingsley Wood stamped the Royal letters and packages with a special silver stamp. „ t . The Duke and Duchess or Kent sent a huge packet for the Duke of Gloucester. It did not fit the special bag and, consequently it was handed, to the pilot’s special care. The Hengist took off perfectly within one hundred yards.. ANGLO-ITALIAN DEAL. ROME, December 8. An Anglo-Italian agreement has been reached, enabling the Impel ial Airways Company to use Italian territory for its craft. The agreement allows the British Government to use Italian territory for alternate routes, either that from Marseilles to Rome, or the Marseilles-Naples-Athens route. It is expected that a service will commence in the Spring, but. there are a few difficulties with tne French 'Government, regarding flying across France, which must be cleared up. LONDON, December S. The British United Press Rome correspondent says: The new air agreement grants to Italy important rights in return for her concessions to . Britain. Italy is permitted to institute a Rome-London air service. next Spring. Italy is also permitted to land her machines at various points in the British Dominions, including Gibraltar and Malta, to which no British air services operate at present.