PACIFIC AIR SERVICES

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27307, 25 March 1954, Page 12

PACIFIC AIR SERVICES

TALKS AT AUCKLAND ON REORGANISATION (From Our Own Reporter) WELLINGTON, March 24. The reorganisation of the Pacific and Tasman air services, details of which were announced by the Minister in charge of Civil Aviation (Mr T. L. Macdonald) last week, will be discussed at a series of meetings to be held at Auckland during the next fortnight. The first of these talks will commence on Monday and will be attended by representatives of the British, Australian and New Zealand Governments. The conference will sit for several days. Amcpg those who will attend the conference are Ajr Vice-Marshal R. P. Willock, representing the British Ministry of Civil Aviation, Captain E. Johnson, of the Australian Department of Civil Aviation, the New Zealand Air Secretary (Mr B. R. Rae) and a representative of the Treasury (Mr T. Cocker, of Wellington). The Minister said today that he would prefer to defer answering a number of questions arising from the reorganisation of the services until these meetings had been held. He could say, however, that DC6 aircraft, with which Tasman Empire Airways, Ltd., would be equipped, would be maintained and serviced at Auckland.

Discussing the financial side of the reorganisation, the Minister said that no further Government finance would be required to cover the cost of DC6's. These would be transferred from the holdings of 8.C.P.A., in which New Zealand’s shareholding would be sufficient to cover the value of the equipment transferred on its account.

An early announcement of the directors of the company which will operate the Tasman service is expected to be made by the Minister.