AIRWAYS FOR THE EMPIRE

Dominion, Volume 38, Issue 30, 30 October 1944, Page 4

AIRWAYS FOR THE EMPIRE

Montreal Talks End

CHARTS OF ROUTES PREPARED (British' Official Wireless.)

(Received October 29, 7.20 p.m.) RUGBY, October 28.

The British Commonwealth air conversations at Montreal ended last night when a joint statement was issued saying the delegation had agreed to establish a standing Commonwealth air transport council. The statement says the conversations, between officials representing Australia, Canada, India, Newfoundland, New Zealand, South Africa, Southern Rhodesia, and the United Kingdom, covered a wide range of subjects. There was unanimity of view regarding the paramount importance of joining with other nations of the world in the immediate creation of an effective international alt authority through the med- ■ ium of a permanent international air convention, to be signed in the interests of peace, security and air development. Nothing was done, at this conference that impairs freedom of action of respective Governments at the Chicago conference. There was also unanimity of view regarding the desirability of establishing air services on routes connecting the different .parts of the Commonwealth aud Empire which would provide a complete system of air communications. Charts were prepared of the routes which the Commonwealth countries might wish to operate. There was agreement on the desirability of establishing a standing Commonwealth air transport council to provide for consultation and exchange of information among members of the Commonwealth and Empire. ,

The statement after saying that various technical reports were to be submitted to the respective .Governments for §tudy and review,. adds: “All the delegations agreed the conversations have been a success and of the greatest benefit. They proceeded throughout on a basis of common desire among the British Commonwealth countries to make the maximum contribution to an international system of economical and efficient air services.,

It was' earlier stated by a Montreal correspondent that the Commonwealth aviation conversations were proceeding behind schedule because of technical problems being more complex than anticipated. One of the big problems discussed related to establishing new British coin* monwealth services Over routes not covered by existing air services. The principal route being studied was across the Pacific, from Canada to Australia, with connexions to India and other parts of the Orient. The vice-president of Trans-Canada Air Lines, Mr. *O. T. Larsen, expressed the opinion that three' or four years after the war round trip fares between Canada and Britain might be as low as 100 dollars.