NEW IMPERIAL AIR SERVICE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20706, 2 May 1929, Page 6

NEW IMPERIAL AIR SERVICE.

CAPETOWN-LONDON. FINANCIAL SUPPORT FROM AFRICA. (From Oub Own Correspondent.) LONDON, March 19. Negotiations for the establishment of a weekly air line from London to Capetown have been completed by the Gov eminent. Expenses will e shared be tween Britain and South Africa, Sudan. Kenya, Tanganyika, and Uganda. This new line will bring Capetown within 12. days of London. The announcement that negotiations had been completed was made by Sir Samuel, Hoare, the Air Minister, in the House of Commons. He recalled his statement during the debate on the Air Estimates that he was act ; vcly negotiating with the various governments and administrations concerned —more particularly with the Government in the Union of South Africa—for the institution of a weekly service between London and Capetown—one of the great trunk routes of the Empire. The House would be glad to know that these negotiations had been brought to a successful issue, the Union Govern raent having intimated its willingness to make a substantial contribution to wards the working expenses for a five year period, and otherwise offer full support and co-operation. Other administrations concerned, Sudan, Kenya, Tanganyika and Uganda had already offered to contribute. BENEFIT TO THE EMPIRE. The Government were therefore in a position to proceed with that most important service, which would be of the utmost benefit to all the African territories which were traversed, and would accelerate Imperial communications with benefit to the Empire generally. There was necessarily ■ much preliminary work still to be done to ensure the smooth and punctual working of the service, but now that the provision of the necessary finance was assured lie had every hone that before many months were passed that great route—the African section of which was over 6000 miles in length—would he' in regular operation. Capetown would thus be brought within 12 days of London, and even larger proportionate savings would be effected in the time taken to reach other important centres through Africa. Sir Samuel added that the route would be easily the longest commercial air route in the world.