TASMAN AIR SERVICE

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVIII, Issue 228, 25 August 1938, Page 8

TASMAN AIR SERVICE

AUCKLAND FIRST TERMINAL. WELLINGTON PARTICIPATES . LATER. Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, Aug. 24. The Pi-hue Minister (Rt. Hon. M. J. .Savage) announced to-day that an agreement had been signed between the Government and Union Airways, providing that the latter will act on behalf of the Dominion in the formation with Imperial Airways and Qantas Airways of the. company to operate the air mail service across the Tasman. This company will probably be known as Tasman Empire Airways, Ltd. An agreement regarding the formation and letting of the contract is at present the subject of cablegrams with the British and Australian Governments. The intended triangular service between Auckland Wellington, and Sydney will be carried out as soon as facilities are available in Wellington. The initial terminal will be at Auckland. Plans are under way for the construction of a modern base at Auckland and the establishment of necessary wireless facilities.

The New Zealand Government will control 39 per cent, of the shares of the new company, and the balance will be held in proportions of 38 per cent, by Imperial Airways and 23 per cent, by Qantas Airways. Of the directorate of six, two will be representatives of the New Zealand Government.

Until arrangements can be made for a call at Wellington there will be two flights each way weekly between Auckland and Sydney. Ultimately the service will be thrice weekly each way between New Zealand and Australia to fit in with the Southampton-Sydney service. In reference to Mr Savage’s statement, Mr Harold Gatty said that Pan-American Airways had established their terminal at Auckland and were, therefore, pleased that there was to be a terminal at Auckland for the transTasman service, ■ thus providing a through service from San Francisco to Sydney. “VERY GOOD.” “That’s very good,” commented Mr W. B. Dariow, chairman of the Auckland Harbour Board. “I am very pleased the rr/atter has been finalised and you can rest, assured the board will get to work right off the reel. We will leave nothing undone in our cooperation. “We have been in negotiation with Group-Captain T. M. Wilkes and Squadron-Leader E. A. Gibson, of the Air Department, for some time regarding terminal facilities, and now that the information has been released it can be stated that we will have all facilities provided as soon as possible. The Government is negotiating with the board at present regarding a site for a wireless, station. We have offered the land, biit no intimation has yet reached us regarding the decision. However, I think we can rest assured that the station will be situated on the board’s property. The board is fully alive to the position and will do everything in its power to assist.” WELLINGTON’S CLAIMS. , FAVOURABLE SITUATION. Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, Aug: 24. Immediate steps are to be taken by the Wellington Harbour Board to ascertain what facilities are required for flying-boats using the port as a terminal when the trans-Tasman airmail service is inaugurated. A committee consisting of the chairman (Mr C. M. Turrell), general manager, and engineer is to wait on the authorities responsible for making the decision and regarding the terminal points in New

Zealand. A motion to this effect was carried at the monthly meeting of the board to-night, when members stressed the natural advantages of Wellington as terminal for the trans-Tasman air service. It was pointed out that Wellington was more favourably situated than any other part of the Dominion for the rapid distribution of mails and that the port would provide better service for the people of New Zealand as a whole.