SAFE AND PRACTICABLE

Manawatu Standard, Volume LV, Issue 82, 5 March 1935, Page 6

SAFE AND PRACTICABLE

TASMAN AIR SERVICE. THE QUESTION OF COST. (By Telegraph—Special to Standard.) WELLINGTON, March 4. It was evident from the “Standard” correspondent’s interview with Hon. A. Hamilton (Postmaster-General), upon his return from Australia, where ho discussed tho extension of the Imperial air service to New Zealand, that consideration of the matter has advanced a good deal along practical lines. The Postmaster-General was found to be thoroughly well up in the details of the various types of aircraft, and when he was asked how the experts view the possibility of regular transtasman communication by aircraft, he replied: “It is regarded as 6afe and practicable, but up to the present it is a question of cost. On the interesting subject of whether ordinary aeroplanes or flying boats would need to be used, the Minister was found ready to reply in a way which suggested that this point has been thoroughly overhauled by his advisers, though he explained that they are still discussing the alternatives, Imperial Airways being favourable to flying ooats. “Are flying boats not more expensive and more limited in range than aeroplanes?” the Minister was asked. “There is not so much difference as would generally be imagined,” replied Mr Hamilton. ’ “Flying boats are now fairly economical in comparison with land ’planes.”

The Minister added that the patronage of the air mail from New Zealand was improving at a very satisfactory rate, although at first the connecting link of the steamers across the Tasman had not been regularly available. However, the proper synchronisation of steamers to and fro from New Zealand with the arrival and departure of the ’planes had been advanced a good deal, with excellent effect on the time-saving nature of the air mail service between the Dominion and Britain.