AGREEMENT ON T.E.A.L

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28559, 12 April 1958, Page 12

AGREEMENT ON T.E.A.L

Conference At Wellington (New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, April 11. The talks on the future of Tasman Empire Airways, ended shortly before 11 o’clock tonight with agreement reached between the .New Zealand and Australian representatives of the type of aircraft with which the airline will be re-equipped. No further details were announced and no communique was issued, but when consequental details have been resolved a simultaneous announcement will be made by the two Governments. No indication was given tonight of when the formal agreement will be ratified and no further details will be released about the conference until the Australian representative (Senator S. D. Paltridge) returns and makes his report to his Government. The Prime Minister (Mr Nash) and Senator Paltridge stressed tonight that all aspects of the talks were conducted in the best spirit and in the friendliest atmosphere. The points at issue during the conference, which began last Wednesday, were: (1) the type of aircraft with which T.E.A.L is to be re-equipped and (2) a reassessent of the New Zealand airfields T.E.A.L. is likely to use in the future.

New Zealand has expressed a preference for the English Comet 4C jets and Australia wanted T.E.A.L. re-equipped with American Lockheed Electra turbo-prop planes. The latter are cheaper, but according to observers are unable to operate from Whenuapai in that airport’s present form. Today’s talks began at 9 a.m., and tonight at their conclusion, the Prime Minister (Mr Nash), with whom Senator Paltridge and the Minister of Civil Aviation (Mr Mathison) weie associated, said: “We have agreed on the type of aircraft, but there are certain things associated with the whole structure of our talks which first of all Senator Paltridge will report back to the Australian Government. The proceedings have been satisfactory so far as we are all concerned.’

Senator Paltridge said: “We have got an agreement with which we are both happy. The implementation of that agreement depends on a number of details, and when those details are resolved, the agreement will be ratified.” None of the Miinsters commented when asked if, as a result of the conference, other international airlines touching New Zealand would be affected. The “Coral Route,” said Mr; Nash, was “inside the details to be reported back to the respective governments.” i

Mr Nash also said, in reply to a further question, that the identity of T.E.A.L. would be preserved, and “it will continue its activities in every way.” Senator Paltridge and others in the Australian delegation will leave Wellington early tomorrow morning in the Prime Minister’s Dakota aircraft for Auckland, where they will connect with the morning plane for Australia.

Messrs F. B. Smith, of Shirley Boys’ High School, and J. H Smith, of Temuka District High School, have been granted leave for the 1958 academic year to complete university degree courses.—(P.A.)