PACIFIC AIRSERVICE

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22345, 8 March 1938, Page 12

PACIFIC AIRSERVICE

HOPE FOR JOINT ACTION MINISTER'S ADDRESS TO AMERICAN OFFICERS - [THE PRESS Special Seivice.] ,*\ AUCKLAND, March 7. ! Emphasising that it was merely his personal view, the Minister for Defence (the Hon. F. Jones) expressed the wish while speaking at a State luncheon to the officers of the United States cruiser Louisville today that any air service across the Pacific might be- the result of cooperative "effort between the American and British Governments. Recently the two countries had reached an agreement that they should work together for the establishment of an air service across the Atlantic, and he thought it would be well worth while if similar co-operation could be reached in the Pacific service. Like the visit of the Louisville, said Mr Jones, aviation tended to break down barriers, and if •: there could be brought about negotiations for the control of the Pacific service similar to those of the Atlantic service, only good could result. If the two countries were operating the service it would avoid much overlapping and misunderstanding. Whether a single or dual service was formed, however, it was sure that the closest co-operation would exist between the two countries. Mr Jones said that he thought the English-speaking races were the greatest factor in the world at present for the preservation of peace, and he hoped that the co-operation which had been shown in the past between New Zealand and the United States would continue. In replying to the Minister's speech, the commander of the Louisville (Captain R. W. Mathewson) said that it was his great pleasure to come to New Zealand and Auckland again after a separation of 30 years. The last time was when he was a care-free but not gay midshipman, and he had noticed this time that many changes had taken place at Auckland. Although there had been changes to the landscape, however, there had been none to the cordial ' hospitality of New Zealanders. K anything, it had been intensified since he was last in Auckland.