IMPERIAL AIR MAIL

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIX, 1 February 1936, Page 11

IMPERIAL AIR MAIL

AUSTRALIAN REJECTION OF MAIN PRINCIPLES SEVERE CHECK TO SCHEME (United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) (Received Ist February, 10.50 a.m.) LONDON, 31st January. Government quarters are astonished at the Federal Cabinet’s flat rejection of the main principles of the Imperial air mail proposals, seeing in them a severe check to the scheme whereby it , was hoped in 1037 to produce a flat rate for air mails throughout the Empire. It has been realised that opposition to a unified control of the London-Sydney service and also the use of flying-boats throughout has grown in Australia in recent months, hut an uncompromising rejection was not expected. It is pointed out that one consequence of the Australian decision may he that in 1937 an air mail letter can he posted anywhere in the Empire for 3id per ounce except Australia and New Zealand, to which perhaps the cost will still he in the neighbourhood of Is 3d.

Air mail costs to Australia are already more than double other parts of the Empire. The British Government is so anxious to see a unified Empire scheme that fresh proposals may be made to Australia.

Another disappointing* feature to Britain is that the decision holds up the direct trans-Tasman flying-boat link, to which' 'it was ultimately hoped to connect the trans-Pacific service. It is understood that the remainder of the 1937 scheme will proceed according to schedule, though it is uncertain whether all the flying-boats ordered will now be necessary. AUSTRALIAN SERVICES TO BE MAINTAINED CANBERRA, 31st January. The Federal Cabinet has decided to agree to the adoption of the British Government’s proposals that all firstclass mail matter between Australia and Britain should be carried from next year by air in British machines conducting an Empire airmail service, instead of by subsidised shipping services. Cabinet decided in favour of the retention of Australian control of the existing service between Sydney and Singapore, and is prepared early in 1037 to introduce an improved and accelerated bi-weekly service between Sydney and Singapore, with high-speed aircraft.