PARCELS ACROSS TASMAN

Taranaki Daily News, 14 March 1935, Page 4

PARCELS ACROSS TASMAN

PIONEER GOODS TRANSPORT. KINGSFORD SMITH’S PROPOSAL. A proposal inviting business men to participate in the first transport of goods by aeroplane across the Tasman from Sydney to New Plymouth and back is contained in a letter received by the Taranaki Daily News from Sir Charles Kingsford Smith. Briefly, Sir Charles offers to limit the weight of each consignment to 251 b. nett, and to charge a fixed sum for flying each parcel across and delivering it for the single journey. “The Air Delegation has terminated its conferences at Sydney, and now the various representatives have gone back, to their own countries to report,” writes Sir Charles. “As far as Australia and New Zealand are concerned, one of the biggest matters dealt with was the problem of a trans-Tasman air service.

“Following .the air conference, it was planned to start a passenger service in 1937, preceded by a mail and freight service without passengers. “You are probably aware that I have made six Tasman crossings in the Southern Cross, including the pioneer flight in 1928. On these flights I have carried both passengers and mails, and I do not think anybody has a better practical knowledge of flying between Australia and New Zealand. I feel that the time is ripe for a practical demonstration. In three years anybody will be able to consign goods to New Zealand by air, but every path must be blazed by pioneers, iq this case by pioneer business houses. “For the first freight flight across the Tasman Sea, from Richmond (N.S.W.) to New Plymouth (N.Z.), and from New Plymouth to Mascot (N.S.W.), I am appealing to 12 enterprising business men to consign a parcel of goods, either from Australia to New Zealand, or from New Zealand to Australia.”

The various channels in which such a “stunt” can be capitalised by the consignee are mentioned. It is pointed out that any firm which consigns goods will have the right of sending four wireless messages to the plane while in flight, and receiving four replies. The plane to be used on the flight will be the Southern Cross.

Full particulars of Sir Charles’ proposal, including the terms and conditions and the charge to be made, can be obtained at the head office of the Daily News at New Plymouth.