Postwar Aviation in South Pacific

Manawatu Times, Volume 68, Issue 160, 8 July 1943, Page 4

Postwar Aviation in South Pacific

Needs of Australia and New Zealand (By Telegraph—Press Aasn.—Copyright.). Received Wednesday, 9.5 p.m. LONDON, July 7. Australia’s and New Zealand’s aviation needs for the postwar years hava been vigorously stated here. The belle! that the question Is Irrevocably linked with both countries’ economic development and defence needs for the next 25 years has been expressed by Australia, who made it clear that she was not wedded to a policy of reserving interempire traffic for the Empire. “The freer the air the quicker its development” is Australia’s slogan. The Commonwealth favours the widest possible ownership with reasonable Qoverament control. It has been stated frankly that Australia’s and New Zealand’s survival depends more on air power than any other factor. These countries, It has been pointed out, must have an adequate supply of efficient aircraft not only for defence, but for the maintenance of their economic development. The area linked with Australia’s air defence is defined as ’SOO miles northwest, north and northeast ot the Continent, plus an arrangement with New Zealand for joint action in an area a similar distance north and northwest of the Dominion. Australia, it has been stated, would consider sympathetically proposals lor free and equal opportunities similar to those for shipping subject to certain reservations, especially if Australia’s “Internal traffic" area was extended to include New Zealand, Timor, New Guinea, New Caledonia and Fiji. Australia gives the following reminder to Britain concerning the production of transport and passenger planes: “American experience in the construction and operation of transport planes has been enormously important to Australia. What the United States has so far produced for her own requirements has been found more suitable for Australian requirements than British aircraft, but this need not be permanent if British aircraft are made to meet the requirements. ’ ’