EMPIRE AIR MAILS.

Waikato Times, Volume 119, Issue 19799, 1 February 1936, Page 7

EMPIRE AIR MAILS.

AIRWAYB SCHEME. FEDERAL CABINET’S REJECTION. ASTONISHMENT IN BRITAIN. United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright. (Received Feb. 1, 11.45 a.m.) LONDON, Jan. 31. Government quarters are astonished at the Federal Cabinet’s fiat rejection of the main principles of the Imperial air mail proposals, seeing in it a severe check to the scheme by which it was hoped in 1937 to produce flat rate air malls throughout the Empire. It had been realised that opposition to unified control of the London-Sydney service, and also the use of flying boats throughout, had grown in Australia in recent months, but the uncompromising rejection was not expected. It is pointed out that one consequence of the Australian decision may be that in 1937 an air mail letter can t*e posted anywhere in the Empire for lid per ounce except Australia and New Zealand, to which perhaps the oost still will be in the neighbourhood of Is 3d. Air mail costs to Australia already are more than double those to other parts of the Empire. The British Government is so anxious to see a unified Empire scheme that fresh proposals may he made to Australia. Another disappointing feature to Britain is that the decision will hold up the direct trans-Tasman flying boat link to which it is ultimately hoped to connect a trans-Paoiflc service. It is understood the remainder of tlie 1937 scheme will proceed according to schedule though it is uncertain whether all the flying-boats ordered now will be necessary.