INTERNAL AIR SERVICES
[To the Editor of THE SPECTATOR.]
Sm,—The decision of the Postmaster-General to inaugurate air mails between a number of cities in this country is a step in the right direction. Not only is it important as a direct contribution to industrial development, but also aS establishing a principle which those of us who are interested in air development have been emphasizing for some con- siderable time.
The efficiency of the air industry, and, as a corollary, of our air defence, depends very largely upon the prosperity of civil aviation. Assured freight is the royal road to a solution of the problem and the Postmaster-General himself has now stated that "in organizing these new air mail routes our hope is to make an important contribution to the develop- ment of aircraft and air efficiency in this country." It is to be hoped, however, that he will without delay extend these benefits of air mail facilities at a low cost to all parts of the Empire.
A year or two ago serious objections were raised to internal air services. The success of the Inverness-Orkney experiment has been so overwhelming that all fears have been banished and the new services have been decided upon. I understand that three thousand letters a day have been carried on the Orkney route without any need of surcharge.
The success of the new routes now announced is inevitable. So also would be that of Empire routes—and I have urged repeatedly in the House of Lords that our air development must be regarded not as a national but as an Imperial necessity.
Might I suggest that the Postmaster-General should inaugurate an experimental Empire service of low mail rates between, say, England and the East African Territories? He would find, I am sure, that the results both in finance and in industrial benefits would amply justify the sending of all mails to these Territories by air.
Sir Kingsley Wood is to be congratulated on going as far as. he has done, but he should not be satisfied until he has pursued his policy to its logical conclusion and given us a low flat rate for all Empire mails.—I am, Sir, &c., 23 Pelham Place, London, S. W. 7: ELIBANK.
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