STILL OPERATING

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24834, 6 February 1942, Page 4

STILL OPERATING

AIR MAIL SERVICES SOME CHANGES MADE (F.0.P.R.) WELLINGTON, Feb. 5. Official advice received in New Zealand indicated that air transit was still .available for mail matter for the 'Netherlands East Indies and Singapore, said the Postmaster-general, Mr P. C. Webb, to-day, when referring to the announcement from Australia that the Empire air service had been temporarilv suspended. Air mails from New Zealand for India and the Middle East would in the meantime be- forwarded from Australia by sea at the first opportunity. Until the Empire air service was restored the public might post for transTasman air transit and sea despatch beyond Australia at a charge of 5d for each half-ounce, or for surface despatch throughout, at the usual rate (tor armed forces correspondence) of 2d for the first ounce and id for each additional ounce. Surface despatch throughout would possibly be just as expeditious as part air and part surface transit. A further statement would be made if the position changed. It was more than probable, the Minister said, that some mail from New Zealand was lost when the Qanlas flying boat was shot down near Koepang, The Post Office had recently received advice of the diversion of mails from the Middle East, and this probably, accounted for the recent break in the continuity of correspondence from members of the Middle East forces.