AIR MAIL ROUTE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22392, 13 April 1936, Page 11

AIR MAIL ROUTE

ALTERNATIVE SCHEME LINK THROUGH NEW GUINEA REDUCING COST TO AUSTRALIA [FKOM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT] SYDNEY, April 9 Discussions between Britain and Australia on the proposed flying-boat service to Australia are proceeding along new lines. The proposal is said to involve the abandonment of the Darwin-Singapore section of the route. Connection with Australia would be made via British North Borneo—with brandies to Manila and Hongkong— New Guinea and Papua A thus opening a hitherto uncharted air route to Australia.

At Majiila the Empire flying-boats would connect with the transpacific airlines of Pan-American Airways, which lias a close working agreement with Imperial Airways, and would provide direct air communication between Australia and the United States. The alteration of the route would provide direct communication between Australia and New Guinea, a twice-weekly passenger and mail service in each direction.

It is understood that the alternative scheme fcas been discussed with Dr. Earle Page and Mr. Menzies, who are now in London, and the revised route will be more readily acceptable by Australia. It would reduce the cost of the Commonwealth share, leave more money for developing the internal air routes and open up speedy communication with New Guinea. A portion of the cost would probably be charged to the Mandated Territory, the revenues of which show substantial surpluses.

From the Imperial point of view the advantage of the alteration is the connection afforded to British territories in preference to running more than 2000 miles over foreign countries. The saving to Australia may be as much as 50 per cent on the proposed annual cost of £140,000 by way of Darwin. The Minister of Defence, Mr. A. Parkhill, who was mainly responsible for the rejection of the original British proposals, said this week that an expert on flying-boats had reported that it would be impracticable to prepare the route from Darwin to Sydney for flying-boats of the type which Imperial Airways proposed to use. He had formed that opinion in the light of information supplied by Imperial Airways as to what would be required for the safe operation of fiying-boats.

LONDON TO SCANDINAVIA AIR MAIL FEE ABOLISHED PROGRESSIVE STEP TAKEN [from our own correspondent] By Air Mail LOXDON, March 21 An historic day in air transport and postal history occurred on March 17. A British Airways air liner left London for Scandinavia, carrying half a ton of air mail on which no extra air mail fee was paid. From now onward the extra fee on air mail to Denmark. Finland. Norway and Sweden is abolished. letters and postcards addressed to places in those countries will lie conveyed by air at.the ordinary international postage rates whenever use of this method will expedite delivery. A brief ceremony before departure from Heston Airport inaugurated the new service. A Royal Mail pennant was handed by the assistant Post-master-General, to Mr. W. D. L. Roberts. chairman of British Airways, and passed on by him to the pilot, who placed it in position on the aeroplane A postman brought four special bags, one for each of the countries of destination. In them the assistant Postmaster-General placed official letters after stamping with a special date-stamp. Then came the bulk of the mail in the streamlined Post Oflice air mail van. The bags were unloaded and conveyed to the machine. British Airways is an amalgamation of five operating companies which has established a sound reputation as pioneers of air services in the British Isles. It is the first company other than Imperial Airways to receive a Government subsidy, and in return will assure the air mail service with Scandinavia. The aircraft employed are de Havilland D.H. 86 biplanes, powered each with four 200 horse-power motors and cruising economically at 135 miles an hour. The scheduled time for the 700 miles flight is oil hours' flying time. Each aeroplane has a commander, radio operator and flight engineer Although the D.H. 86 is designed te carry up to 14 passengers, those on the Scandinavia run will accommodate only seven, thereby allowing plenty of space for mail and exceptionally comfortable seating for the passengers. The cabins have been made specially soundproof, and conversations can be carried on in ordinary tones. Smoking is per niitted.