Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 22, 1934. EMPIRE AIR MAILS.

Greymouth Evening Star, 22 December 1934, Page 6

Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 22, 1934. EMPIRE AIR MAILS.

'J’HE rush to send mail to England from Australia and New Zealand by the first, plane used in the new services, was followed, by a serious fall in the quantity forwarded. by the second. The authorities expressed disappointment, but some such slump was to have been expected. The first plane carried the abnormal Christmas mail, and a lull invariably follows the Yule greetings rush, no matter which means of transport is used. There is no reason 1o fear that the Empire aerial mail service will not be regularly well patronised, as the advantages of the speedy facilities are realised. The higher cost of aerial postage will limit the patronage extended, but it would be regrettable if officials lost their enthusiasm.

Sir Phillip Sassoon made an important statement in the Commons, outlining plans for an Empire letter service, at a cost of three-half-pence for half an ounce, an aim that. Mr. Hamilton appropriately estimated as even more startling Ilian the introduction of Empire penny postage by ships and trains. The Government is often criticised for what it takes from the taxpayer, but does not get adequate gratitude for what it provides at low cost, penny postage, whether inland or ( overseas, being perhaps the best instance of valuable service being rendered at. a ridiculously cheap rate. True, the service is profitable,

but that does not detract from the

merit of the concession enjoyed by the nation. It is emphasised that the proposed Empire aerial service at the low rate quoted, depends on the co-operation from the Dominions. It is to be hoped that New Zealand will display courage in this matter. Shipping companies will be adversely affected by the loss of postal mail contracts, but the nations generally, will benefit bv the new enterprise.

The question is not one merely of hastening the delivery of letters between the Motherland and Overseas, although this bridging of distance is important in itself. Mail contracts will be necessary to make the aerial services remunerative. These cannot be run indefinitely regardless of cost, yet must be regarded as essential. Countries lacking the best of aerial transport services will be left behind in the competition for trade. Mails will be but one item in the cargo carried. As the years pass, so the planes’ carrying capacity will extend, until aerial carriers will be as numerous and as varied as ships are to-day. New Zealand must not be content to be left out of the plans for aerial services, nor be satisfied to have only a branch line connection with Australia. Crossing the Tasman must no longer be regarded as an abnormal adventure, but as a regular stage of the aerial service, which, given adequate machines and personnel, offers no great difficulty. At the best, it will take nearly two years to establish the proposed Em-' pire air service, bu| from now on, New Zealand should show active practical interest in the project, and be willing to subscribe its appropriate quota of the cost, insisting that it is given full share of the advantages available. When New Zealand produce can be landed at the other end of the world within a few days of despatch, one of to-day’s handicaps in the competition with Denmark and other European rivals will be minimised. New Zealand’s pioneers had to show financial courage and business acumen in lhe early days of what is now a huge shipping business. The present generation must follow the example where aerial transport is concerned. The reward must be similar.