BRITISH AIR POLICY

Grey River Argus, 20 May 1938, Page 7

BRITISH AIR POLICY

NAVIGATION BILL DEBATED. 1 British Official Wireless.! RUGBY, May 18. The new Secretary for Air (Sir C. Kingsley Wood) was cheered in the Commons, on rising to move the second reading of the Air Navigation Bill, which gives effect to parts of the Cadman report, and increased from £1,500,000 to £3,000,000, the subsidies to air transport. Additional financial assistance to be given on routes outside Europe will amount to about £1,000,000, and the greater part will be concentrated on the Empire routes. Some £4,000,000 will be devoted to improved services on the European routes. After Sir C. Kingsley Wood moved the second reading of the Air Navigation Bill, a Labour member (Mr. Montague), moving the rejection, argued that Government aid to firms operating for profit was illogical and contrary to public interest.

Mr. Lyons asked what amount was allowed for the regular service between Australia and New Zealand, and argued in favour of night flying on Empire services. He said the aim of Parliament was to link up the Empire and bring the longest distances into the shortest time.

Captain H. H. Balfour, in reply, said the Government’s policy was to temper monopoly with a reasonable amount of competition. Imperial Airways was really a public utility. Tho company was in a better position to function in the commercial world than a Government department. The profits were controlled, but any loss fell oil. those venturing on this enterprise. The Government was reviewing the question of the Australia-New Zealand service. Sir C. Kingsley Wood was meeting the representatives ot the Dominions.

NEW ZEALANDER'S APPOINTMENT. LONDON, May 18. Squadron Leader D. H. F. Barnett a New Zealander, serving In Iraq, has received an appointment to command number elghty-four bomber sqfladron Shaibah. TASMAN MAILS. WELLINGTON, May 18. Discussions on the projected trans Tasman air service were held in Wellington to-day between Ministers of Crown and Mr. A. E. Rudder, personal representative in Australia of Im perial Airways and director of Quantas Empire Airways. In an interview, this evening, the Prime Minister (Mr. Savage) said that the discussions In the morning with Mr. Rudder had been attende.l bv the Minister for Finance (Hon. W. Nash), the Minister for Marine (Hon. P. Fraser), and himself. They had been continued in the afternoon between Mr. Rudder and Mr. Nash. “T Jiope to be able to make an announcement shortly regarding the establishment of an air service across the Tasman.” said Mr. Savage. Mr. Rudder returned to Sydney by the Awatea, which sailed from Wellington to-night.