A WEEK TO SYDNEY

Taranaki Daily News, 25 February 1935, Page 5

A WEEK TO SYDNEY

INTENTION FOR AIR MAIL LIGHT FLAT-RATE CHARGE NOT LABELLED “BY AIR” ORDINARY MAIL CHANNEL By Telegraph—Press Assn.— Copyright. Rec. 6.30 p.m. Sydney, Feb. 24. The British Post Office and Air Ministry delegation arrived to-day. Mr. Bertram said it was hoped to have a bi-weekly air mail service between London and Australia, with the distance between London and Sydney covered in seven days. It was proposed to charge lid per half ounce for all first-class mail matter as a flat rate. No air mail surcharge would be made, nor would it be necessary to label letters “air mail,” for that would be their natural route. “We are not here to dictate,” he added. “We are here to explain the details to the Australian and New Zealand authorities fo,r their approval and to receive suggestions.” Sir Edward Campbell, a British postal official, interviewed at Singapore, stated that discussions in India, Malaya and elsewhere regarding faster air mails had convinced the delegation of the possibility of the Air Ministry’s scheme working in 1937. They did not think they needed materially to change Sir Philip Sassoon’s scheme. “We are satisfied with the progress of the discussions in India, where we did more in ten days than we could have accomplished in a year by correspondence,” he added. “We were most impressed by the tremendous airmindedness permeating India and the Far East. I believe flying-boats can be used on some sections.” Sir Edward is joining his colleagues in Australia. He will be the only passenger when Captain Brain pilots the first Quantas plane from Singapore to Australia to-day.