AVIATION SERVICES

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVI, Issue 8, 7 December 1935, Page 7

AVIATION SERVICES

WASHINGTON DISCUSSIONS. (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, Dec. 5. Conversations regarding the possible establishment before long of a transAtlantic air line will begin to-day in Washington between representatives of the British, Free State, Canadian, and United' States Governments. The British mission is headed by Sir Donald Banks (Director-General of the Post Office) and Colonel F. C. Shelmerdine (Director-General of Civil Aviation). An agreement regarding a possible air service over the northern route has been already reached between Britain. Canada, Newfoundland and the Irish Free State. Questions of some complexity are involved in the Washington talks, hut airmen on both sides of the Atlantic are- convinced that trans-Atlantic services could be maintained and that the assistance of tlie Governments is alone required.. In a new Air Navigation Bill shortly to be introduced in the House of Commons powers will be given to the Air Ministry to make long-term subsidy agi’teements with transport undertakings. The subsidies may amount to -£15,000,000 a year and may be included in agreements which will extend to the year 1953.

ENGLAND TO AUSTRALIA

BRITISH CONTROL.

LONDON, Dec. 6. The Sydney Sun’s Melbourne correspondent states that the British Government is seeking control of the whole air mail, route from England to Brisbane, using seaplanes capable of 145 miles per iiour. The British Government proposes a fifteen-year agreement, under which the Commonwealth shall receive a fixed subsidy of £150,000 a year, the Commonwealth to be obliged to maintain ground operations and equipment. The Minister of Defence (Mr R. A. Parkhill) stated that all aspects of overseas air mail services would receive attention shortly, including the question of the duplication of the present service, which had developed beyond all expectations.