AIR SERVICE

Southland Times, Issue 22011, 10 May 1933, Page 5

AIR SERVICE

ENGLAND TO AUSTRALIA PROVISION FOR WEEKLY FLIGHTS FIVE-YEAR CONTRACT (United Press Assn.-Tehgraph Copyright.) (Rec. 12.35 a.m.) London, May 9. The Minister for Air, Lord Londonderry, has issued a memorandum embodying the principal provisions of a weekly air service between London and Australia, connecting with a steamer for New Zealand. Tire proposed contract with Imperial Airways will provide a service between Karachi and Singapore, via Calcutta and Rangoon, connecting with the LondonKarachi and Singapore-Darwin services. The agreement with Imperial Airways runs for approximately five years, commencing from the date of the opening of the Darwin —Singapore section and terminating on March 1, 1939, when the existing Anglo—lndian service agreement expires. The Karachi—Singapore section will be opened jointly by Imperial Airways and an Indian company. The maximum subsidies for the Karachi —Singapore service will be £40,000 for the first year of the through service to Australia, £30.000 for the second and third years and thereafter £20,000 annually. The Governments of India, the Straits Settlements and Malaya have undertaken to provide and maintain landing grounds and other facilities, including wireless and meteorological services, in their territories. For through mails between England and Australia Imperial Airways and the Indian company will receive 24/per lb and Australia 16/- sterling per lb. with 30/- per lb for mails between England and Singapore. Lord Londonderry says the simultaneous inauguration of a service between Karachi and Singapore and Darwin and Singapore is impracticable, therefore he proposes an interim service to Calcutta in July, to Rangoon in October and to Singapore by the New Year for which special temporary terms are being arranged. He confidently expects the Darwin—Singapore section to be operating by April. The charge for a half-ounce letter from Britain to Australia and New Zealand will be 1/3.