AIR MAILS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22350, 22 February 1936, Page 13

AIR MAILS

TASMAN LINK DOMINION'S INTERESTS AUSTRALIAN PROPOSAL INVITATION TO CONFER By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright (Received February 21, 6.35 p.m.) SYDNEY. Feb. 21 The Canberra correspondent of the Sun says an invitation has been extended to the New Zealand Government to send a representative to Australia to discuss with the Commonwealth points of mutual interest in the new air mail proposals submitted by Britain. The Prime Minister, Mr. .T. A. Lyons, said to-day that the air link with New Zealand was involved in the British proposals. If an agreement could be reached between Australia and Britain as to the rest of the service the British Government desired the transtasman section to be added so as to terminate the complete service in New Zealand, where later the transpacific service from America might connect with it. It is understood that the British proposals envisage control of the entire route by Imperial Airways, Limited, including the transtasman link. This, if adopted, would mean the end of the hopes of establishing an independent Tasman service by Australian and New Zealand interests.

Mr. J. A. Lyons stated yesterday that he was not prepared to discuss the air mail position while che negotiations with Britain were proceeding. The British authorities had submitted modified proposals which did not vary greatly from their original proposals. These were being examined by the Federal Cabinet. It was not considered likely that any full statement would be made until after the Federal Parliament assembles in March.