EMPIRE AIR MAILS

Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21411, 1 March 1935, Page 13

EMPIRE AIR MAILS

♦ BRITISH PROPOSALS DISCUSSED QUALIFIED ACCEPTANCE BY AUSTRALIA CONTROL OF SINGAPOREDARWIN SECTION (UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION—RY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH —COPYRIGHT.) (Received February 23, 8.40 p.m.) SYDNEY, February 28.

The air mail conference concluded to-day. Mr R. A. Parkhill (Minister for Defence) issued the following statement, embodying the attitude of the Commonwealth delegates to the British proposal:— "The Commonwealth representatives view the scheme as one of great Empire value, and calculated to contribute in a substantial degree to the improvement of the social and commercial interests of the Empire. Subject to its financial practicability and to their being satisfied on certain conditions, the Commonwealth delegates would be prepared to recommend to the Cabinet favourable consideration of the proposal." Mr Parkhill said the qualifications in the statement indicated that a considerable amount of information was yet to be obtained before a decision could be reached on many matters vital to Australia. These involved questions of finance, the type of aircraft, the route and the nature of control which Australia should have in the proposed arrangements. It is understood that Australia desires to retain control of the Singapore-Darwin section, and employ land aeroplanes between Darwin and Sydney. The Australian delegation is still of opinion that the development of Australian internal air mail services is of paramount importance under any proposed agreement. The Hon. Adam Hamilton has sent a cablegram to the Mew Zealand Government, stating that he agrees in principle with the British scheme. Sir Frederick Williamson will accompany the New Zealand delegation home, and spend two or three weeks investigating aviation possibilities. He and Mr Hamilton and Mr Parkhill will again discuss a trans-Tasman air mail question, pending the departure of the New Zealand delegation to-morrow. Mr Parkhill said that the Commonwealth Government did not intended to defer until 1937 the plans, to which it had already given consideration, for the further acceleration of the existing mail service, and the reduction of postage rates. EXTENSION TO 'NEW ZEALAND INVESTIGATIONS ALREADY STARTED (Received February 28, 11 p.m.) SYDNEY, February 28. "The results of the air mail conference have been distinctly gratifying to the interests of New Zealand," the Hon. Adam Hamilton told the New Zealand Press Association.

"The negotiations throughout were conducted in a friendly atmosphere, and the suggestions of all participating delegates were fully investigated," he said. "Both the British and the Australian delegates were favourable to the extension of the service from Sydney to New Zealand. "After the main conference the New Zealand and Australian delegates discussed the possibility of initiating mail services across the Tasman before 1937, and good progress was made as to the basis on which this service might be established. Investigation of the essential points is already under way."