DUTCH AIR SERVICE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20968, 3 September 1931, Page 9

DUTCH AIR SERVICE.

BATAVIA AND DARWIN.

OFFER OF \ CO-OPERATION

LONDON, August 24. When the Queen of Holland inaugurates the weekly Dutch air service to Batavia at the end of September, Colonel J.' G. Koopman, who fors many yearn was in Australia purchasing horses for the Dutch Government, will proceed to Australia to discuss with the Federal Government the possibility of extending, the Bat-man service to Darwin. Colonel Koopman also will establish offices at Melbourne and Sidney to give information concerning European air services. The Dutch are prepared to cooperate closely with Australian National Airways. "It would bo very simple," says Colonel Koopman, "to link up Batavia and Darwin." One of the directors, Mr. H. Martin, in aji interview at Amsterdam, said: "We prefer -Australia to operate this section, but if slio is not willing we may consider extending our own route. The Australian Government seems not to realise the importance of air communication:;, though they are more valuable to Australia than to moro developed and less remote countries. *

"Money spent in increasing th;:i efficiency of communications is the soundest means of economising. Europe is very severely hit by the world depression; yet Holland and Germany aro not stinting civil aviation. They recognise that the money ,u * spent on it will lead to greater economics elsewhere. Australia could bs brought withiu 15 days of England at no great cost.

" Our year's experience of flying to Ratavia has convinced us that a \veekly service can be safely and efficiently maintained, even during tjte monsoons."

Colonel Koopman said he was willing to render the utmost assistance to Australian aviation, of which Air-Commodore Kingsford Smith is the superb chief, and is regarded in Holland as not only the world's greatest pilot, but most capable organiser.