I do not know if the Chinese Postal Administration is contemplating an aeroplane mail service and wishes therefore to debar foreign post offices or foreign aviation companies from entering the field. In conclusion I do not consider that the policy of the Chinese Government in desiring to monopolise in favour of the Chinese Postal Administration the transmission of aeroplane mails is unreasonable, nor that it is likely to be prejudicial to British interests, but it should I think be represented on behalf of the British Post Offices in China that the legislation thus foreshadowed in respect of aircraft in China may have an important bearing on the future working of the Agencies and that British adherence should not be extended without due consideration. I have, etc. (Sd) M.D.Breen, Postmaster General 24 NOVEMBER 1920 COMMERCIALAIR ROADS IN CHINA The Engineering Society of China, the second meeting of 1920-21 session at Shanghai on November 16th when Dr. Herbert Chatley delivered a paper entitled “Commercial Aeronautics in China”. Dr. Chatley who is an Associate Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society of Great Britain and was engaged in aeronautical research before the war, opened his paper to the Engineering Society by referring to the fact that the part played by aircraft in China in the future had been encouraged in connection with the Shanghai Harbour Investigation with which he is now associated. His own interest in the subject dated back to the year 1900 and the imminence of local developments had suggested that in suitability of a paper. It was not proposed to deal with dirigible balloons owing to the technical difficulties of handling these craft in China. The main principles of aeroplane practice from an economic point of view were then considered and it was shown that for fuel alone, even under good conditions, the expense was $0.25 per freight-ton-mile. The overhead expenses (not including ground costs) were then shown to bring the total to upwards of $2.00 per freight-ton-mile. The ground costs were now considered and it was shown that a total figure of $3.50 per freight-tonmile was quite probable. Home prices from 5/- to 14/- were mentioned for comparison. Thus 700lbs. of cargo could be carried daily 540 miles at about $1 per lb. or four passengers could be taken for the same distance for $150 per trip. The weather conditions and the topographical difficulties were then considered and finally certain conclusions were indicated. A purely mail service would necessitate heavy franking of mails. A passenger service might not be financially sound.
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