AUCKLAND-AMERICA BY AIR

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue 60, 12 March 1937, Page 8

AUCKLAND-AMERICA BY AIR

After prolonged negotiations the Government has decided to grant to Pan-American Airways an extension of time till the end of the present year within which to commence a trans-Pacific air service connecting Auckland and San Francisco, via Honolulu. An announcement to that effect was made by the Prime Minister (Mr. Savage) last night. Under its agreement, entered into with the previous Government in November, 1935, Pan-American Airways was required to inaugurate, a service not later than December 31, 1936, but there was a proviso for an extension of time, with the Government's consent, if, through unforeseen difficulties; the company should be unable to begin operations within the period. ' Such a difficulty arose from the maritime strike on the Pacific Coast of America last year, hampering the company's preliminary efforts, and it was to meet this case that the Government granted the extension requested. Preparations for an initial exploratory flight from Honolulu to Auckland are understood to be so far advanced that, according to the company's representative in New Zealand (Mr. Harold Gatty), there is a prospect of one of the great flying-boats of the type which has so successfully spanned the North Pacific being seen here in the South Pacific at a comparatively early date. Should all go well, it may be expected that a regular service will follow, linking up New Zealand with America in three to four days instead of the three weeks taken by steamer.

So momentous a change in.transport in the Pacific carries with it so many consequences, perhaps not obvious at first sight, that the present Government has been justified in proceeding with caution. Other interests are at stake beside those of New Zealand, and it is satisfactory to learn from the Prime Minister, in his statement last night, that

before arriving at a decision in this matter Nthe New Zealand Government had consulted the Governments of all the members of the British Commonwealth having interests in the Pacific. The paramount consideration for the New Zealand Government was Hhe safeguarding of British interests, potential as well as actual, in the Pacific, and effective 'steps have been taken to that end. .. . The Government's present action, of which' the Governments of Great Britain and Australia had been aware and with which they agreed, had been arrived at only after full' consideration had been given to the interests of each of the members of the British -Commonwealth concerned. ,

It may be taken therefore that the decision of the Government has the approval of Britain and the Dominions chiefly affected. To New Zealand herself tlie enterprise of Pan-American Airways appears to offer remarkable opportunities for lessening the handicap of distance and isolation. Connection by air with America across the Pacific should lead to the creation of an air line with Australia, placing this Dominion definitely on the air map of the world.