EMPIRE AIR MAILS

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXXV, Issue 12981, 2 October 1936, Page 4

EMPIRE AIR MAILS

IMPORTANT CONFERENCE AT - WELLINGTON; . “ SUBSTANTIAL PROGRESS. FLYING BOATS FOR TASMAN SERVICE, (Press Association) WELLINGTON, Oct. 1. Substantial progress has been made during the last few days in discussions between New Zealand, Australian and British representatives, regarding Empire air mails and the proposed operation at an early date of an air service across the Tasman Sea. The discussions have been proceeding in camera. It is expected that finality on a number of important matters will be reached to-mor-row, before *. he Australian delegation headed by the Commonwealth Minister for Defence (Sir Archdalc Parkhill) leaves by tin Awatea. in the afternoon.

It is suggested that plans have been completed at the conference for the establishment of a flying-boat service across the Tasman Sea and that difficulties in connection with the Empire air mail service have, to a large extent, been removed. However, finality has not been reached., and even if the conference reaches agreements on important matters, decisions will have to Be considered in detail and ratified by the Governments concerned. The- termination of the conference to-day will bring to a close only one part of the aviation discussions as far as New Zealand is concerned.

Mr. F. G- L. Bertram, DeputyDirector of Civil Aviation in the British Ministry, who has been representing the British Government -at the discussions, will remain in New Zealand to make investigations and advise the Government on various aspects of commercial air services within the Dominion. It is understood that Mr. Bertram will travel extensively in the Dominion in order to obtain first-hand knowledge of local conditions.