THE AIR MAIL.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVI, Issue 63, 12 February 1936, Page 8

THE AIR MAIL.

INDEPENDENT SERVICES. COMMENT AT HOME. Received February 11, 12.50 p.m. LONDON, Feb. 10. With little chance of acceptance of Australia’s counter-proposals for the Imperial air mail, tlie prospect of Britain pursuing her own independent services to Australia and f\ew Zealand is increasingly canvassed. Captain Norman Macmillan, writing in the Daily Mail, says: it appears that Australia has not fully understood the proposals for tiie co-or-dination of the two services. Flyingboats on the trunk route and land ’planes inland appear to offer the best solution of the strategic requirements of Australian defence. Clearly tho Empire cannot drop the scheme because it is not acceptable tu Australia. Will Australia’s decision force New Zealand to forego the benefits of the scheme? If not, under Mr Parkliill’s proposal letters will go outward at lscl and homeward at Gd, thus producing a transport bugbear of empty return jour lie ys.

(SERVICES IN DOMINION. CARRIAGE OF LETTERS. Per Press Association. DUNEDIN, Feb. 11. Tiie importance of the New Zealand air mail service was stressed by a deputation from the Chamber of Commerce, tlie Manufacturers’ Association, and the importers’ and Shippers’ Association -winch- waited on Hon. F. Jones (Postmaster-General). The deputation asked that the overseas air mails inward and outward be carried by the New Zealand internal air services at no additional charge whenever time could be saved ; also that the inland service be provided at the lowest practicable surcharge an ounce. The Minister, replying, said the Government hoped to make a pronouncement in a week or so. The question of the amount of surcharge for inland air mail was an important one and somewhat difficult to arrive at in view of the amount of subsidy that would bo required.