No Big Difficulties Raised

Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 127, 1 June 1938, Page 4

No Big Difficulties Raised

Attitude to Tasman Air Service MR. SAVAGE EXPLAINS Fer Press Association. WELLINGTON, May 31. The Prime Minister, the Kt. Hon. M. J. Savage, in a statement regarding the trans-Tasmau air service, said that he could only conclude that the Austra lian Minister, Mr. H. V. Thorby, had been misreported. Air. Thorby was reported by cable yesterday as saying that New Zealand's attitude had necessitated new negotiations with Britain. New points had been raised by the Dominion since the conference at Wellington last year. Mr. Savage said that he comniun; dated with Australia on May 14 by cable and received an acknowledgment on May 17, with an expression of regret that no decision could be communicated until after the following dsy, but nothing had been received since. Mr. Savage said that there was nothing in his cable outside the agreement or likely to call a halt in the negotiations. The Government had nominated Union Airways as its company to co-operate with Imperial Airways and Qantas Airways in the arrangements for the formation of an Operating company to inaugurate the Tasman service. But, he said. Union Airways would prefer five directors instead of the nine agreed upon at the air conference, and he had asked for Australia’s decision on the proposed amendment. The Government did not urge the change but merely conveyed the opinion of Union Airways and asked for that Of Australia. “If it is not acceptable to Australia or the United Kingdom, then the original proposal of f.ine stands,” Mr. Savage said. “New Zealand is very anxious to see the trans-Tasman service commenced as a link in the Empire air-mail scheme, which New Zealand has decided to adopt on the a’l-up basis proposed by Great Britain.” EMPIRE AIR MAIL N.Z. ADOPTS ALL-UP BASIS PROPOSED BY BRITAIN WELLINGTON, May 3L The Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. ?1 J. Savage, announced to-day that the Government had decided to adopt the Empire air-mail scheme on the all-up basis proposed by the Government of the United Kingdom. As soon cs the scheme comes into force, all letters to and from Great Britain will be sent by air between London and Sydney at lid per half-ounce. An essential of the scheme is that all letters to England should go by a Particulars as to countries to oe served, together with the rates to foreign countries, will be made known at an early date.