MAILS BY AIR

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22823, 6 March 1936, Page 8

MAILS BY AIR

SERVICES WITHIN DOMINION PROGRESS OF NEGOTIATIONS (Per United Press Association) AUCKLAND, March 5. A statement that the Government had been going into the proposals for inland air mail services and that finality should be reached within the next few days was made by the Postmastergeneral (Mr F. Jones) in a telephone conversation from Wellington with the New Zealand Herald to-night.

Negotiations were being conducted with the companies controlling the air services on the basis of a surcharge on letters, but the amount had not yet been determined, Mr Jones said. It was proposed to inaugurate services on those routes in respect of which the companies were prepared to enter into agreements, ft was not intended to interfere with the existing air mail service on the West Coast of the South Island. This was operated on a definite contract and handled only a small quantity of mail to and from South Westland.

It was unlikely that any long-term agreements would be entered into, continued the Minister. The services would be operated for a short time with the object of determining the response of the public on the various routes. It was hoped that the Government would have the co-operation of the people in establishing mail services. The Government, Mr Jones stated, was examining the whole position regarding a transtasman service, and, although a Minister could not be sent to attend the conference to be held between the Australian Ministers and the British Government, it is likely that New Zealand would be represented, probably by the High Commissioner, Sir James Parr. The New Zealand Government's attitude in the matter would be forwarded to England. By the time the question of the transtasman service had been decided the Government would have some idea of how the inland lines were working. Their continuance would depend entirely on results. Although the Minister was unable to say what the surcharge will be, it is stated that negotiations are on the basis of a charge of an additional one penny a letter.