MAIL SERVICE

Southland Times, Issue 22450, 10 December 1934, Page 7

MAIL SERVICE

IMPORTANT STEP LONDON—AUSTRALIA EPOCH-MAKING EVENT (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright.) (Rec. 6.30 p.m.) London, December 8. Lord Londonderry, speaking at the inauguration of the Australian mail service, said: “We ought not to be content to rest on the present achievement, but must press forward and improve and strengthen it to meet the demand which will be made upon us. We have been told by some people that we ought to learn from other countries how to build aircraft and run air lines. As members of a widely scattered Empire we have our own distinctive problems, but do not lack the ability and confidence to solve them in our own way. I do not doubt the ultimate success ot our endeavours.” He handed to Sir Kingsley Wood letters from their Maj'esties and the Prince of Wales addressed to the Duke of Gloucester, Sir Issac Isaacs, Lord Bledisloe and others from British to Australasian members of Cabinet. Sir Kingsley Wood recalled the opening of the service to Karachi .five and ahalf years ago when 8000 letters were carried. To-day’s service included 100,000 letters and 500 pounds of parCe *T am confident that the forging of this vital link in the chain which the Australian service represents will result in a rise in traffic beyond anything yet experienced, Mr J. G. McLaren said. A message was received from Mr Stanley Bruce from Geneva describing the opening service as an epoch-mak-ing event in the development of Empire relations. . . , Sir James Parr said: “This is a red letter dav in New Zealand s history. The air mail assists to implement and reinforce the great Ottawa Agreement.” Sir Eric Geddes, responding to the compliments to Imperial Airways passed by the British and Dominion Government representatives, said: To those of us who 10 years ago set out to build imperial air routes, the occasion appears as a dream coming true. Canada and New Zealand remain to be painted into the picture but I hope it will not be long before they are connected by air from Britain. Lord Stonehaven, Sir Phillip Sassoon and Imperial Airways officials and Agents-General were present. After the speeches the mail was stowed safely in an aeroplane. Besides letters from their Majesties, their Christmas presents to the Duke of Gloucester were sent direct to the plane from Sandringham. They are being delivered at Auckland. Sir Kingsley Wood stamped the Royal letters parcels with a special silver stamp. The Duke and Duchess of Kent sent a huge packet for the Duke of Gloucester. It did not fit the special bag and consequently was handed to the pilots special care. The plane took off perfectly within 100 yards. AGREEMENT REACHED USE OF ITALIAN TERRITORY. (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright.) (Rec. 6.30 p.m.) Rome, December 8. An Anglo-Italian agreement has been reached enabling Imperial Airways to use Italian territory. The agreement advises the British Government to use Italian territory for alternate routes, either MarseillesRome or Marseilles-Naples-Athens. It is expected the service will commence in the spring, but a few difficulties with the French Government regarding flying across France must be cleared up.