Prospector’s Viewpoint

Letter to the Editor YOUR explanation of the intentions of the Commonwealth Government with regard to air transport is very enlighten ing. But it does not matter what company or combine is in control —the result will be the same.

The fact that this move has been “on foot for eighteen months,” without the people of New Guinea knowing anything about it, is enough to show just what consideration the public will get from the Federal Parliament.

There is at least one company in New Guinea with a most efficient aeroplane workshop, which could undertake any type of repair. Would it not be sufficient to subsidise this concern, and all other companies if necessary, on their under taking to use and maintain an approved type of plane and an efficient ground or ganisation?

At present we enjoy really fine service from the aviation companies, and this is attributable solely to competition. Yet each concern is, I am sure, a paying pro position; though some may look with long ing eyes on the large dividends of the past.

The statement that the formation of powerful companies will protect the public against risk in air transport seems to im ply that the machines of the smaller com panies are less airworthy than those of their larger competitors. There are very stringent regulations to protect the public against risk in this regard, and it should not be necessary to form a combine to get safe flying. At any rate, a comparison of the records of the various concerns should be interesting.

If a charter is given to any single con cern freight rates will rise (unless a sub sidy is provided) and services will suffer,

particularly to the smaller, outer ’dromes, which do not show such a good return with small planes.

As for the Administration protecting us against exploitation, do you really think that that far-away Rabaul organisation we

read about would care if w© got one plane per week or per month, or whether Bill Smith’s cargo got lost altogether?

Form a combine, by all means, and sub sidise any large or suitable concern, but let a small show or two stay outside to help the small man who is like that voice crying in the wilderness, too far away for the Commonwealth to hear or heed.

In conclusion, I would like to protest against contemptuous disregard for public opinion in New Guinea, displayed by the Commonwealth Government, on this and other occasions and I am sure I am voicing the opinions of many New Guinea resi dents in doing so. We have no vote, no jury system, and no money—but why rub it in?

I am, etc..

J. D. O’Neill,

Wau, T.N.G., 23/2/1936.

Prospector.