MR. SAVAGE’S SURPRISE

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 357, 11 February 1937, Page 5

MR. SAVAGE’S SURPRISE

EMPIRE AIR MAILS AUSTRALIA AND BRITAIN Knows Nothing Other Than Press Reports. Press Association—CopyYight. Wellington, Last Night. Surprise at the report that Australia and Britain had come to an agreement over the Empire mail service without advising New l Zealand was expressed by the Prime Minister the Rt. Hon M. J. Savage, to-day. Mr. Savage recalled that a conference was held at Wellington towards the end of last year at which Britain, Australia and New Zealand were represented and recommendations were made. The Neu’ Zealand Government, he said, approved of the recommendations, but it was understood the Governments concerned wolud be advised before any pronouncement was made.

"To think that part of the scheme has been adopted by two of the three parties to the conference -seems to me to be pretty difficult to believe,” said Mr. Savage. "There is a lot more to be said about the agreement. I do not know anything except what I have seen in the newspapers.” Mr. Savage added that he had strictly adhered to the arrangement regarding publicity of matters discussed at the conference. It seemed unbelievable, he repeated, that two of the parties had come to an agreement. DEFINITE AGREEMENT Statement Made To House Of Commons. Press Association —Copyright Rugby. Feb 9. Sir Philip Sassoon, Unde'-Secret-ary for Air, said in the House of Ccmfnons to-day that the air-mail agreement between Britain and Australia covered a period of 15 years subject to flying-boats proving satisfactory during the first two years and to the right of either party to withdraw at any time if the scheme is found, in the opinion of the general advisory committee representative of any of the Governments participating in the scheme, to be unsatisfactory in operation and incapable of suitable adjustment. The agreement will enable all firstclass mail from the United Kingdom to be carried by air to Australia at postal rates of IJd per half ounce. When the scheme is introduced by the Commonwealth the Government proposes to retain a surcharge of 5d per half ounce on mail from Australia subject to its right to adopt the principle of sending all first-class mail by the service as and when it so desires. Ceylon Linking Up With AirMails. Press Association—Copyright. Received 11 a.m. London, February 10. Colombo has now decided to link up with the British-Australian air-mail service, by means of a feeder service to be established.