NG Mainland Transport

A Situation "Beyond Words"

From a Special Correspondent WHETHER Mandated Airlines is a part-Government service or not, it is being criticised in regard to both its activities and its planes.

The planes, although passed by Civil Aviation as airworthy, have a way of re fusing duty, or getting tired on the road.

Then there is the schedule—if there is such a thing. We have been informed that each second week is set apart as a Special, for a trip to Wewak via Madang and such dromes as are agreed upon by the Administration. But this has not been done—it has been just a rush up to Wewak and back, practically the same day. Efforts to induce planes at Wewak to clear up the congestion of goods awaiting transport to outer dromes, either by MAL or Qantas, have resulted only in loss of time and ether.

It would appear that the plane services although run by private enterprise, are beginning to get on a par with the ship ping muddle, which the public and busi ness peonle have given up now as abso lutely hopeless. Western Islands residents and * outlying plantations have had no transport for over three months. Perhaps, when the management is taken over by an experienced shipping man, there will be some improvement.

The plane arrived at Wewak on its usual rush trip on April 19, minus the mails. The people looked ferociously at one another, and just shook their heads and said nothing. The situation was be yond words.