AIR ROUTE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20965, 3 March 1930, Page 14

AIR ROUTE.

ENGLAND TO AUSTRALIA. CONTROL OF FINAL LINK. (From Otre Own Correspondent.) SYDNEY, February 20. It would seem as though the Tasman must for years remain a serious bar to the establishment of an air service from England to New Zealand,- but the Dominion cannot but be greatly interested in the possible establishment of an air service to Australia. Of course, this is only in the discussion stage, and in these days- questions like it require months and months of talk, and very often all the talk ends indefinitely. One is inclined to get very tired of negotiations between Governments, especially between the Commonwealth and the British Government. There seems to be an antagonism very often—an antagonism which it is difficult to particularise.

Considerable interest has been aroused by the statement of the Prime Minister (Mr Scullin) that the control of the final link in the England-Australian service might he retained by the Government. The section referred to is from Singapore to . Darwin. Mr Scullin pointed out that the British Government seemed to have assumed that Australia would subsidise Imperial Airways Ltd. to initiate and maintain the section, whereas there was no commitment on the point. It is not at all certain that Australia favours the control by Imperial Airways, Ltd., of the whole air route from London to Australia, and, subject to further consideration, it is possible that an Australian Company may be formed and subsidised to, operate the service. In view of the rapid expansion of the route, which has now reached Delhi, the subject is likely to loom large in the near future. There are three competing types of craft” for the new route—aeroplanes, flying boats, and airships. The present route to India is operated fay both flying boats and aeroplanes, and there is now an attempt to push forward with the plans for the erection of mooring masts for the new airships. Expert opinion is said to take the view that big flying boats would be most satisfactory for the final stage, at least, of the route from England to Australia. That portion of the journey would be almost entirely over water, or more correctly, the most satisfactory route lies over the sea. No difficulty is expected with the Dutch in regard to the operation of the route. There is only the hazardous stage, really, and that is between Timor and Darwin, when the machine would for the first time, be out of the sight of land, and it is considered that with a 'modern flying boat there would be absolutely uo danger." But, let it be known, negotiations have not yet reached a serious stage, and may not do so until the Prime Minister goes to England later in the year to attend the Imperial Conference. Then, after .another five years, say, a basis of discussion might be reached. By then, probably there will be a change of Government, and the talking will begin all over again.