TASMAN AIR MAILS

Grey River Argus, 7 September 1939, Page 4

TASMAN AIR MAILS

Time for Starting WELLINGTON, September 5. It is still hoped to have the transTasman air-mail service in operation by the beginning of November, according to a statement made in the House of Representatives today by the Postmaster-General (the Hon. F. Jones) during discussion on the Post Office estimates. The Minister said that the regular air mail from England to Australia would probably be scrapped; but that some service would be maintained, probably irregularly. The all up system of postages had been abandoned, an<j the cost would revert to the old rate of Is 6d a half ounce for mails to England from New Zeajand. The Leader of the Opposition (the Hon. Adam Hamilton) asked what the terms of the contract with Great Britain were, and who was to be the controlling authority of the I Tasman service in New Zealand. Arrangements for the formation of a company to handle the service were not yet complete, said the Minister; but the proportion of capital to be subscribed was 39 per cent, from New Zealand, 38 per cent, from Great Britain, and 23 per cent, from Australia, the proportions being based on the amount of mail matter handled. Mr Hamilton: That is for capital alone? “Yes,” said the Minister. “It is proposed that the Government shall hold 20, and Union Airways 19 per cent, of the capital.” The Minister added that the subsidy Required would be £26,000 a year, that the subsidy to Empire air mail was £15,000. “That service is likely to be scrapped,” said the Minister. “There will be mails; but the all-up arrangements will go, and the service will probably not be regular. We are hoping to operate the Tasman service from the beginning of November. I think the British Gov-1 ernment is going to operate a • ! stricted service 'to Australia at the old rate.”