PACIFIC AREA AIRLINES

Press, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 27094, 18 July 1953, Page 2

PACIFIC AREA AIRLINES

TALKS ON FUTURE OPERATIONS

AGREEMENT EXPECTED SOON (New Zealand. Press Association) WELLINGTON, July 17. Talks on the future operations of the Commonwealth-Controlled transTasman and trans-Pacific air services are in their final stages in Australia, and recommendations are likely to be made to the Governments concerned in a fortnight. The airlines most vitally concerned are Tasman Empire Airways, Qantas Empire Airways, and British Commonwealth Pacific Airlines. They are controlled by the Australian, New Zealand- and British Governments. The Air Secretary (Mr T. A. Barrow) returned today to Wellington from the talks in Melbourne. He said negotiations were proceeding satisfactorily and harmoniously. It was hoped that the final result would mean a substantial improvement in the financial standing of air services across the Pacific and the Tasman Sea. Mr Barrow said the talks would continue this week. . If the negotiations continued satisfactorily, it was quite possible that an agreed formula could rie presented soon to the respective Governments. “I have been impressed with the helpful and co-operative attitude adopted by the Australian representatives,” Mr Barrow said.

The chairman of directors of Tasman Airways (Sir Leonard Isitt) also returned by air from Melbourne today.