TASMAN SERVICE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 304, 26 December 1939, Page 4

TASMAN SERVICE.

ON MODIFIED SCALE.

MR. FRASER'S FORECAST.

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.) WELLINGTON", Monday. In spite of tlie war, the Tasman air service may be begun shortly, stated tlie Minister of Education and Health, the Hon. P. Frauer, on his return to Wellington to-day from London. "While in Sydney and Melbourne last week I had several iim-rviews with the Australian Prime Minister, Mr. R. O. Menzies, and other Mi listers," said Mr. Fraser. "A general desire was expressed for even closer co-operation in the war efforts of both countries, as well as in economic and trade relationships generally. I assured them that Xew Zealand would cordially reciprocate any suggestions or proposals on the lines indicated, and that we are prepared to co-operate wholeheartedly in the war efforts of tiio Iwo countries as well as in ordinary irntle matters. "I think that, as a ;r-su< I of several conferences in London a:xl my discussions with Mr. Menzies. the actingMinister of Air, Mr. Holt, and officers of the Civil ' viation Department in Melbourne, the eommenccfmnt of the Tasman air service has been brought appreciably nearer," added the Minister. "When I arrived in Limdon I was confronted with the disconcerting information that both Ihe United Kingdom and the Australian Governments had decided that tl.j Tasman service should be definitely postponed, at least until the end of the war. However, on the position as seen by the Xew Zealand Government being explained, the United Kingdom altered its attitude, and I fully anticipate that tlie United Kingdom a; the. Austr«'" n Governments will co-operate in establishing a service, probably on a modified scale."