Manawatu Evening Standard. TUESDAY, APRIL 30, 1940. TASMAN AIR SERVICE.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 128, 30 April 1940, Page 6

Manawatu Evening Standard. TUESDAY, APRIL 30, 1940. TASMAN AIR SERVICE.

At long- last tlie Tasman air service as a commercial venture has been inaugurated. Tlie Aoteal'oa’s inaugural flight to-day marks a great epoch in this Dominion’s history, the culminating point in long and protracted negotiations between the British, Australian, and New Zealand Governments, and the definite entrance of this country into the great Empire scheme of speedy communications. The negotiations to bring' New Zealand closer to the Motherland commenced as far back as 1934, and in 1938 participation was granted in the Empire air mail. This was a definite step forward. Mails were flown from England to Sydney and then despatched by ship to the Dominion, and vice versa, an arrangement that has continued until now. Its many advantages were quickly realised by business people, who will further appreciate the shorter time for the passage of their correspondence between Britain and this country. With this arrangement it was definitely hoped that the inauguration of the Tasman air service had been brought within sight, as by the spring of 1938 the type of flying-boat to be used had been decided. A year later the Aotearoa flew from England to New Zealand with a close adherence to schedule. It was a leisurely performance, but it gave an indication of things to come. The Centaurus’s flight at the end of 1937 also had raised hopes that the final link between this Dominion and the Motherland would soon be forged. The official view was that the service would begin soon. The public quickly had cause to know otherwise ’ as the ~ negotiations continued without definite results. With the drafting ultimately of the agreement between the three Governments, and its acceptance, hopes were raised that the end of 1939 would see the service inaugurated. It was not to be, however, but the interval was beingspent advantageously, the Aotearoa being engaged in survey flights and the necessary ground preparations being advanced, as well as the meteorological and wireless services which the scheme requires. The outbreak of war in September last, might also have required a postponement, but the New Zealand authorities pressed for the service to be inaugurated as soon as convenient, and the arrival of the second flying-boat Awarua at last heralded its approach. That its consummation has come in the Dominion’s centennial year is a matter for congratulation and an augury perhaps of the greatness of the scheme in the future. A hundred years ago_ communication with Australia was most

primitive, but as colonisation progressed came the established shipping services between both countries which progressed to meet the needs of travellers until, in the course of time, modern vessels were acquired for the run and the Tasman crossing reduced to less than two and a half days. Now for people who prefer speedier travel it may be accomplished in 10 hours or more, and in the future no doubt much less. Both Dominions must derive considerable benefit from the service, particularly in the matter of defence, and from their co-operation will it develop as its promoters desire. New Zealand’s isolation, so marked even at the beginning of this century, lias gradually grown less and less to at last reach the vanishing point.