Important Air Conference

Southland Times, Issue 23001, 22 September 1936, Page 6

Important Air Conference

There seems at last some prospect of agreement being reached on the extension of the Empire air mail service from Australia to New Zealand. The Commonwealth Government, after- long negotiations, recently ratified the agreement between Australia and Britain; and a conference is to be held in Wellington this week among representatives of the British, Australian, and New Zealand Governments which it is hoped will result in the continuation of this modern Empire service to the Dominion. The British Government will be represented by Mr F. G. L. Bertram, DeputyDirector of Civil Aviation in the British Air Ministry, and Australia is sending the Commonwealth Defence Minister as well as senior officers of the Postal and Civil Aviation Departments. Britain’s generous offer to pay half the cost of the trans-Tasman link is proof of the importance she attaches to rapid inter-Empire communication. Australia and New Zealand are each asked to pay only one quarter of the subsidy, a small proportion considering the benefits of the service both in times of peace and of war. The Commonwealth will have such a strong representation at the conference that the opportunity should not be lost to press forward a mutual scheme of air defence for Australia and New Zealand; the presence of Sir Archdale Parkhill, Commonwealth Minister of Defence, suggests that this is in fact contemplated. Nor should the New Zealand Government neglect to discuss with Mr Bertram some of the more urgent questions affecting the development of civil aviation in this country. The Government, for instance, is still hesitating to establish an air ministry under which the many different departments now interested in aviation could be co-ordinated; and it cannot be said that the aero clubs are being given the State assistance to which the national value of their work entitles them. Mr Bertram is arriving in New Zealand at a time when many important air matters need attention. The Government will be foolish if it does not make full use of his experienced and expert services.