Basis Reached For Air Pact With France

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29269, 29 July 1960, Page 15

Basis Reached For Air Pact With France

(New Zealand. Press Association)

WELLINGTON, July 28. The basis for a new civil aviation agreement between France and New Zealand was announced today by the Prime Minister (Mr Nash). He said the basis was reached in discussions this week with the visiting French delegation. Mr Nash said that details of the negotiations would be announced as soon as possible after negotiation and discussions with the United States and certain other countries. These would probably take place within the next few weeks. Broadly, said Mr Nash, the new agreement with France would provide Tasman Empire Airways with the opportunity not only to maintain its service to Tahiti, but also to develop transpacific services beyond Tahiti including Hawaii and California. The agreement would also permit the operation of a French airline into and through New Zealand. "As part of its policy of encouraging rapid national development in all fields, the Government has been determined that New Zealand’s international transport and communications services should be placed on a sound and expanding basis and that New Zealand should be served by major international airlines,” said Mr Nasri. “The new agreement with France and the subsequent arrangements which should follow are expected to provide the framework for the profitable and dynamic development of T.E.A.L. and the improvement of New Zealand transport links with the rest of the world.’’ Mr Nash said many of New Zealand’s means of communication with the outside world were under the control of other countries or of interests situated outside New Zealand. "At a time when we are on the threshold of great development in the carriage by air of passengers and freight, New Zealand must have long-distance air services under its control and contributing to the planned development of the country,” he said. “Trade between New Zealand and the Pacific countries and with the United States should increase greatly in the coming years, and in this increase air transport can be organised to play an important part.

There will, moreover, be a expansion of tourist traffic i j Pacific area. New Zealand should put itself in a position both to share in this traffic and to help develop it **l. n the field of tourism New Zealand’s interests are linked with those of several other countries. Only a limited number of people in Europe or America are willing to meet the high cost of air fares to New Zealand solely for the purpose of visiting New Zealand, but increasing numbers of people are interested in a visit which encompasses a number of countries in the South Pacific region, an area which combined attractions that rival anything in the world. . ‘‘lt is good for New Zealand to joint with the other countries concerned in promoting the flow of tourists throughout the whole area.

“The agreement with France reflects this approach and should undoubtedly be to the joint advantage of both New Zealand and France.

“It is vastly encouraging that so many present-day New Zealanders reject the idea of New Zealand as a backwater in the South Pacific and are stirred by the prospect of a vigorous and developing nation. “The Minister of Civil Aviation (Mr Mathison) and myself are determined that this vision shall be translated into practical terms in the field of civil aviation.’’