EMPIRE AIR MISSION

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 108, 31 January 1935, Page 9

EMPIRE AIR MISSION

Plan For Flat Rate For Mails DOMINIONS’ SHARE OF COST By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. London, January 29. Croydon aerodrome is enveloped in dense fog and flying is impossible, so Mr. Bertram and his party, who are to make a tour of stopping places in the Empire air mail route, entrained in London for Brindisi, whence they will start their aerial journey. Tlie delegates left within a few hours of the revelation of their mission. Tlie Austiraliau Press Association understands that the, principal object of the Williamson-Campbell mission will be to learn the financial extent to which tlie Dominions and colonies are prepared to co-operate in a scheme to introduce a flat rate for an Empirewide air mail at lid. a half-ounce.Jt is pointed out that Britain, while willing to proceed on that basis as soon as is practicable, cannot shoulder the full burden, as unless the outward and homeward mails are charged at a comparable rate, homeward-bound air-lin-ers would not be sufficiently loaded to justify the heavy expense of the scheme. In reference to the air route to the East it will be recalled that there has recently been a duplication of the service as far as Calcutta, states .a British official wireless message. Opportunity will also be taken to consider with local experts matters in connection with the proposals for the acceleration and development of Empire air communications. It is the intention that the extension of the visit to Australia will not be undertaken by all members of the delegation. z