New British, U.S. Plans At Air Conference

Northern Advocate, 1 December 1944, Page 7

New British, U.S. Plans At Air Conference

(Rec. 1 p.m.) WASHINGTON. Nov. 30.

The World Air Conference has abandoned hope of complete agreement on the five freedoms, says the Chicago correspondent of the Associated Press. The conference is now considering the job of making available to those wanting it, a United States proposal for an open air.

After rejecting the Canadian compromise plan, (he British delegation to the Chicago Air Conference offered a new proposal, suggesting in effect that the international organisation receive power to decide whether the Fifth Freedom should operate on any given international route. The Chicago correspondent of the New York ‘Times” says the proposal is regarded in American circles aS indicating very little change from Lord Swinton’s previous position. Indeed, it was regarded as something' of a reversion to the original British White Paper. However, the British delegation thought the plan might be acceptable because it allowed different practices to operate in .different areas. For example, Latin-American countries Avhich wanted more international air traffic, could have it. while those European conn tries Avhich feared the traffic could avoid it.

A joint sub-committee representing ail participating countries Avill consider the neAV proposals on November 30. “Take It Or Leave It”

With what appeared to be a final “take it or leave it” altitude, the United .Slates offered the Air Conference a new proposal for an aviation agreement with the simple gram of the five freedoms, Avhich would make-, possible establishment: of a free sky for those nations wanting it, says the Chicago correspondent of the Associated Press. The alternative would be for a nation to stay outside the agreement and continue as hoav to run international airlines, based on bilateral negotiations. The Associated Press expressed the opinion that the British delegation is unlikely to accept the new proposal, which retreats sharply from concessions previously offered to Britain. The United States offer dropped traffic quotas, escalator clauses, and a -rate-fixing authority, although it left the way open for tariffs if interested States requested.