"Taranaki Central Press” FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 1937. EMPIRE AIR-MAIL SERVICE.

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 358, 12 February 1937, Page 4

"Taranaki Central Press” FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 1937. EMPIRE AIR-MAIL SERVICE.

Even though the final extension of the service to New Zealand is as yet not arranged, considerable satisfaction will be felt at the agreement which has been reached between the British and Australian Governments on the terms under which the new service to Australia will operate.- The next step is the Tasman section, and while, apparently, a full agreement was earlier reached concerning it, the service is not sufficiently well advanced to announce those details. The practical matters of machines, landing areas, etc., have yet to be finalised.

The main features of the original British plan were that the service should be operated by the new giant flying-boats, that there would be unified control under Imperial Airways Ltd., and that all first-class mail should be carried by air at ordinary postal rates. Australia, however, objected. It claimed that the Singapore-Syd-ney section should be operated by land machines under Australian control, the equipment and personnel being able to be included as an integral part of the Commonwealth defence system, and that there should be a surcharge of sixpence per half-ounce on all airmail.

The terms of the agreement now announced disclose that certain compromises have been effected. Australia has, temporarily, given way on the type of machine to be used. Flyingboats will be used for two years on trial, and if satisfactory, the agreement retains them for 15 years. The surcharge on outgoing mail from Australia has been reduced to sd. per half-ounce, but mails will be carried to Australia from England at 1 |d. per half-ounce. It is expected that a time-table of 104 days will be achieved between London and Sydney, but this will be expedited to 7-| days when lighting and other ground organisation services along the route are completed, facilitating night flying.

The net result is that from the beginning of next year there will be a twice-weekly service betwe A London and Sydney and, unless unforeseen difficulties arise, between London and New Zealand. Eventually, under the terms of this ayemeent, New Zealand will be within eight days travel of London.

The first of a projected fleet of 28 great flying-boats for this service have now undergone successful trials. Powered by four motors developing a total of 3000-horse power, they are capable of a speed of 200 miles an hour and carry three tons of mail and 24 passengers in addition to a crew of four. In the service flights already made they have achieved a flying range of 1 700 miles, and the Tasman crossing will, in consequence, be fully within their capabilities.

Soon we will probably learn full details of New Zealand’s part in this great Empire air service. It is one of great importance, and while Mr. Savage, in accordance with the arrangement made at the conference in Wellington last year, is unable to make any public pronouncement just now, the Dominion will wait eagerly for news of our part in overcoming distance) in thiSi lightning fashion.