TRANSPACIFIC AIR SERVICE

Evening Star, Issue 22578, 20 February 1937, Page 15

TRANSPACIFIC AIR SERVICE

AMERICA CONSIDERING NEW ROUTE THROUGH NEW CALEDONIA TO AUSTRALIA Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright SYDNEY, February 19. The ‘ Sun ’ says that Pan-American Airways is considering diverting the proposed new air route through New Caledonia to Australia instead of New Zealand. It adds; “In well-informed circles in Sydney it is also believed that Colonel Lindbergh, technical adviser to the company, may come to Australia and possibly visit New Zealand and New Caledonia. Favourable consideration has been given to the alternative route, as via New Caledonia, the trip to Australia would he shorter. It is understood that tentative approaches have been made to the French Government, which owns New Caledonia. STATEMENT BY MR CATTY NEW ZEALAND NOT TO BE OMITTED. [Per United Press Association.] WELLINGTON, February 19. A denial that there was any foundation for the assertion contained in the Sydney message that the Pan-Ameri-can Airways Company is considering omitting New Zealand from the Pacific air route was given by Mr Harold Gatty, the representative of the company, when interviewed in Wellington to-night. He declared that the ‘ Sun ’ was getting hold of a great deal of ridiculous information. _ The Elans of the Pan-American Airways ad always been for the inclusion of New Zealand. The Tasman was something that both Australia and New Zealand were interested in, and the company had no wish to interfere with that. The provision for a call at Auckland would help to preserve that interest. “ W© never had any intention 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.” Mr Gatty also refuted a suggestion that Colonel Lindbergh might visit this part of the world. DELAY IN NEGOTIATIONS REGRETTED BY AUCKLAND CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. [Per United Press Association.] AUCKLAND, February 19. Support of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce for the views of Mr M. G. C. M‘Caul, of Wellington, president of the Associated Chambers of Commerce, in connection with- _ the continued delays in the negotiations for the proposed Pacific Air Service was expressed by Mr A. A. Ross, president of the Auckland Chamber. “ The Auckland Chamber gives its full Support to the attitude taken up by Mr M‘Caul.” said Mr Ross in a statement made on behalf of' the Chamber. “We have an opportunity of becoming an important station on one of the world’s main air routes, but if the negotiations are bungled, we may find ourselves relegated to a deadend on a branch line. We really ought to wake up, and I would suggest that the question is important enough for the mayor to call an immediate conference of mayors and chairmen in the metropolitan areas, together with representatives of other bodies, and endeavour to influence the Government, so that, without further delay, the matter might be brought to a successful cos elusion.