AIR SERVICES

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 66, Issue 303, 4 October 1946, Page 4

AIR SERVICES

GOVERNMENT CRITICISED NEGOTIATIONS CONCERNING PACIFIC ' ' I (P.A.) WELLINGTON, This Day. Negotiations were continuing between countries concerned for reciprocal rights, but he hoped that before long agreement would be reached and British-Pacific airlines established, said the Hon. F. Jones, in a discussion after midnight on the vote in the estimates for the Air Force. 4 The Minister added that responsibility for the air service to the Pacific Islands had been undertaken by the Government.

Mr M. H. Oram (Opposition, Manawatu) said the Government was to blame for the dilator# development of civil aviation in the Dominion. The whole of the work on aerodromes had been neglected. A managing-director of the National Airways Corporation had been appointed, but he was without a board to assist him. Mr H. T. Morton (Opposition, Waitemata) criticised the Government for running a Dakota service which, he said, did not comply with the law of the land in that the aircraft were not licensed. He saw no good reason at all for the Government not setting a better example. Mr Jones said the Airways Corporation was already functioning well, and was providing the country with the best possible service within the limitations imposed by the planes now available. Two planes had recently been purchased in Australia, and it was hoped to obtain more in the neat future.

Mr Jones said that while it was possible that planes on the main trunk service might not be licensed, the service as a whole was licensed, and the safety standards of the machines and of the entire service were extremely high. The vote was passed and the House rose at 12.25 until 10.30 to-day.