FUTURE OF T.E.A.L

Press, Volume C, Issue 29421, 25 January 1961, Page 15

FUTURE OF T.E.A.L

Talks Planned In Australia

(From Our Own Reporter) WELLINGTON. January 24. A visit to Australia by the Minister of Civil Aviation (Mr McAlpine) to discuss the future of Tasman Empire Airways now seems likely. Soon after the change of Government, it was reported that Mr McAlpine had invited the Australian Federal Minister for Air (Senator S. Paltridge) to New Zealand for talks on T.E.A.L. It seems, however, that an invitation issued to Senator Paltridge earlier in the year by the Labour Government had been allowed to lapse. Now, it is understood, moves are being made at diplomatic level to arrange a visit to Australia by Mr McAlpine. Mr McAlpine said today that he felt that talks at ministerial level were inevitable as the future of T.E.A.L. was involved in other aspects of aviation policy, including airport construction, the use of reciprocal landing rights and many other matters. He was unable to say at this stage where and when these talks would take place. Aviation and political circles believe suggestions already made that New Zealand should acquire full ownership of T.E.A.L. will be favourably considered by the Australian Government.

The extension of T.E.A.L.’s routes would be facilitated by full New Zealand control and at the same time would free the Australians to develop the Australian national airline, Qantas. Negotiations with the Australian Government for the purchase of its 50 per cent, shareholding in T.E.A.I. would almost certainly involve the granting to Qantas of some Tasman traffic rights. At present Qantas flies the Tasman only under charter to T.E.A.L.