Withdrawn
p. 118 · Read in the full issue
Nz Airways Service
From Tonga
THE withdrawal of the New Zealand National Airways service from Nu kualofa, Tonga, at the end of June, has caused dismay in that part of the Pacific.
Tongan mail communications now are en tirely dependent on the infrequent and irregular ship services.
It is reported that the withdrawal was the result of the failure of the airways company to reach argreement with the Tongan Government, or the landowners, regarding the amount to be paid annually for landing-rights, etc. One statement is that the Tongans wanted £lO,OOO per an num; while the company, arguing that the air transport business of the little kingdom is not worth much anyway, was unwilling to pay more than £5,000 p.a.
The withdrawal of a well-established air service is at any time a retrograde step, and most interests hope that the deadlock soon will be ended.