TASMAN AIR LINK

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23075, 28 June 1938, Page 8

TASMAN AIR LINK

LONDON DISCUSSIONS CONTROL IN DOMINION government taking charge [by telegbaph—press association] CHRISTCHiTTRCH, Monday The present stage in the negotiations for the institution of a Tasman air mail service was mentioned to-day by the Minister of Finance, the Hon. yf. Nash. •' Negotiations between the three Governments concerned would begin in London within the next few days prior to consultations with air companies and the formation of operating companies, Mr. Nash said. Prior to the departure of the managing director of Union Airways, Limited, Mr. N. S. Falla, for England, a tentative agreement had been reached that his company should act for the Government in the negotiations for the f<)rmation of an operating company. The Government, however, would be the controlling agent in so far as the New Zealand end was concerned, and that control would be governed by the portion of capital held by New Zealand. The capital would be apportioned as follows: —New Zealand, 39 per cent; Australia, 23 per cent; Great Britain, 38 per cent. The High Commissioner, Mr. W. J. Jordan, and Dr. Campbell had been empowered to negotiato on behalf of the Government at the discussions in London.

The last despatch of New Zealand mails to connect with the first return flight of the flying-boat service between England and Australia will be by the Mariposa, which leaves Auckland on August 5 for Sydney, arriving there on August 8, a day before the mail closes. Tho Wanganella, leaving Wellington on August 4, will also reach Sydney on August 8.

BATAVIA TO SYDNEY COMMENCEMENT ON SUNDAY Keen interest is being shown in Australia in the decision of Royal Netherlands Indies Airways to begin a twiceweekly air service between Batavia and Sydney next Sunday. Mr. C. 0. Hughes, a director of Russell and Somers, Limited, the company's Auckland agents, who returned by the Mariposa yesterday after a visit to Sydney, stated that the first return aeroplane from Sydney is already fully booked. The service will be conducted by a fleet of Lockheed "14" monoplanes, which are among tho fastest in the world. The machines have a cruising speed of 210 miles an hour, a maximum speed of 240 miles an hour and a full load range of 1860 miles.