CIVIL AVIATION

Auckland Star, Volume LXXV, Issue 57, 8 March 1944, Page 5

CIVIL AVIATION

POST-WAR PLANNING

Discussions For United Nations

In Washington N.Z. Press Association —Copyright Rec. 10 a.m. NEW YORK, Mar. 7. Plans are well advanced for exploratory discussions in Washington this spring on post-war civil aviation among the representatives of Britain, America, China, Russia and Canada, according to authoritative disclosures, says the New York Times Washington correspondent.

The former Ambassador to Japan, Mr J G. Grew, is expected to head the United States representation. Canada is included because of her strategic location with reference to airways, both to Europe and to the Far East.

It is assumed that if the five countries can agree on principles, the way will be paved for a general United Nations conference before the end of the year. Conversations would first be held with the other British Dominions as well as kuiopean countries, such as France and Holland, and the Latin-Americas. The State Department has taken a leading part in the deliberations. Official circles hope that aviation, after the war, will stand on its own commercial base, without subsidies except in special cases, where communications are necessary witn points without commercial importance.

Lines to Axis Countries

The magazine, American Aviation, asserts that Britain and Canada have proposed the establishment of an International air transport authority but the United States considers the proposal too elaborate, and added that the question of the use of bases built during the war will not be a major problem for the conference, because the Powers agree that they should be open for the use of all recognised air services. It is also pretty well established that air services to Axis countries will be operated by the United Nations, though considerable debate on the constitution of such services is probable. Britain and Canada have indicated that they wish aviation to be strictly controlled, especially regarding the frequency of services, fares and distribution of equipment. On the other hand the United States is anxious to develop aviation along competitive lines.