PACIFIC AIR SERVICE.

Evening Star, Issue 22578, 20 February 1937, Page 14

PACIFIC AIR SERVICE.

It is easy to understand the anxiety of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce lest a breakdown should occur in the negotiations between the United States and New Zealand Governments in regard to the establishment of a regular Pacific air service. An air route between America and Australia via New Zealand would be something of great convenience and commercial value to the Dominion, and since Auckland, as in the matter of main shipping connections, is well favoured by its geographical position, there seems no reason why that fortunate city should not become established as the New Zealand port of call for PanAmerican Airways. In , this case any thought of parochialism must be set aside. Auckland’s gain would be a gain for the whole of the Dominion, and the northern Chamber of Commerce should be widely supported in its endeavour to have the Pacific air service negotiations settled once and for all. Mr Harold Gatty, representative of Pan-American Airways in New Zealand, is doing his best to keep us in New Zealand in good heart and soothe the impatience that is simmering. “We have every hope that the discussions will be concluded very shortly now,” he stated the other day. He gave other assurances, such as the fact that experts to arrange terminal facilities were already in New Zealand. Yet there is nothing conclusive about his remarks. A provisional agreement relating to the operation of the sendee was signed between the Government and Pan-American Airways over 15 months ago, and the secrecy with which, it is alleged, the final details are being discussed has given rise to uneasy speculation concerning its signficance. It may be accepted as likely that all technical difficulties have long since been foreseen and provided for. The cause of the delay, therefore, can almost certainly be attributed to the failure so far of the Governments involved to arrive at a satisfactory diplomatic understanding on the question of reciprocity. By this is meant American agreement to a stipulation that, if United States aircraft are permitted to have a landing base in New Zealand, British aviation services are to be granted similar facilities in territory utilised by American machines. Until the full facts are known the New Zealand Government cannot be charged with dawdling through the negotiations; it is clear that British interests in the air must be protected before a settlement is arrived at. A cabled message from Washington which, were it not for another of Mr Gatty’s reassurances, would create dismay in this country, quotes the ‘ Sun ’ as stating that. Pan-American Airways is considering diverting the proposed new air route through New Caledonia instead of New Zealand, tentative approaches having been made to France, which owns New Caledonia. The information has it also that Colonel Lindbergh, technical adviser to the company, may visit Australia and possibly New Zealand and New Caledonia, presumably with the object of comparing the virtues of the alternative routes. Mr Gatty, how-

ever, with more emphasis than he has yet revealed, scouts the authenticity of the ‘ Sun’s ’ nows, both as regards the New Caledonian diversion and Colonel Lindbergh’s visit. The coming of Lindbergh would perhaps be more of a blessing than anything else, not only because of the personal interest he would arouse, but also because he could most likely bo depended upon to see the commercial advantages of establishing New Zealand as a place of call, as against those to be found in New Caledonia. The position at the moment is still clouded in obscurity. For its peace of mind the Dominion will simply have to rely upon Mr Gatty’s declaration: “ We have never had any other intentions but to come to New Zealand, and we are content to lay our plans on this line. There is no possibility of a change in the plans.’’