AIR MAILS FROM BRITAIN

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17452, 29 December 1930, Page 7

AIR MAILS FROM BRITAIN

CHANCE FOR AUSTRALIA SUBSIDY OBSTACLE LONDON, Dec. 12. As soon as Australia is able to afford an annual subsidy she can join in nn established air service which will deliver .nails from England to Australia in I*4 days or less. . 'i ho Australian, British and Dutch authorities have been negotiating for a regular air mail service between Australia and England. This is an alternative to Imperial Airways’ service, Australia's collaboration with which would mean that the Commonwealth would have to provide over £100.030 annually in subsidy. Mr. Scullin has intimated that at present this is impracticable. It was proposed that the Ditch line, whirl) regularly carries mails to the East Indies from Holland, shall pick up British mails from Imperial Airways officers at Rangoon, to which city the British service will shortly be extended from Karachi, and the Dutch air liners would carry the mails to Koepang, Timor. Australia, woidd then be minimi to complete the service to Darwin, thus necessitating the use of multi engined machines or big flying boats. NO MONEY NOW It appears that the scheme cannot he worked without some Australian subsidy, though this would he considerably ess than that asked for in the Imperial Airways scheme. Present indications are that Australian finances will not permit of even i moderate subsidy, but it is pointed oat that the extension of the British and hitch services is such that the. moment Australia is ready, Britisli-Australian nail services can he ina tgurated, which w'H oceuny at the most 15 days. Tlio Erendi service to Indo-China is ilso being extended, and there will then he three Mg services to tlx* Far East, with which Anstra'ia. could co-operate the moment the state of her finances permits her to do so.