PACIFIC AIR SERVICE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22225, 27 September 1935, Page 13

PACIFIC AIR SERVICE

PROPOSALS TO DOMINION PROMPT DECISION UNLIKELY ACTIVE BRITISH INTEREST [bt telegraph—special reporter] WELLINGTON. Thursday No immediate action is likely in connection with the negotiations which Pan-American Airways are pursuing with the New Zealand Government concerning tho proposed Pacific air service. No member of the Cabinet is prepared to discuss the matter in detail or to amplify the statement that the British Government is taking an active interest in proceedings. However, there appears to be unanimity in tho view that, the proposed service would be of material advantage to the Dominion. Against that is the opinion that wider issues are involved than appear on the surface and that negotiations in certain directions ore essential.

It can be stated fairly definitely that Questions regarding competition between Rritish and American shipping in the Pacific do not enter into any possible uecotiations regarding the air service proposals. For one thing, it is not expected that an air service across tho Pacific would affect to any great extent passenger traffic on ocean liners. The extent of tho British Government's interest in the proposals cannot be ascertained, but although tho official view in New Zealand appears to be that discussions are necessary before any final decision is reached, it is gathered tliat tho Dominion authorities will have the last word. It is also stated that an apparent delay in coming to a decision does not alter the fact that tho proposed service is highly attractive to New Zealand and is regarded most favourably. The fact that under the proposals nn American air service would serve Empire territory does not create a prorodent. Pan-American Airways already operates services to the British West Indies, off the eastern coast of America. These islands are Crown colonies and as such come under tho direct control of Great Britain without the independence of a self-governing Dominion. Tho Dominion of Canada allows the company to make White Horse a stopping place on tho air route to and from Alaska. • Many of the details of the company's services are well known to the Minister of Finance, Mr. Coates, who had discussions with its principals in the United States on his way back from England recently. CONSENT TO PROJECT URGED ADVANTAGE TO .NEW ZEALAND Approval of a statement issued on Wednesday by the executive of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce urging the Government to consent to PanAmerican Airways' scheme to conduct an air service from San Francisco to Auckland "unless there arc political or military reasons for withholding approval" was expressed by the council of the chamber yesterday. The president, Mr. Gainor Jackson, said tho Government had, for some reason, withheld approval for PanAmerican Airways to land at Auckland. He understood a reason was that in similar circumstances the United States objected to foreign aeroplanes landing on its own soil. Mr. D. Carter said ho was not against American services, but ho felt that New Zealand could not get a better service than by way of Australia. He was afraid that if" the chamber supported the American proposal it would bo to the detriment of future British services. , Mr. W. A. Boucher felt there would be no conflict with British interests and that the service would ultimately link up with the one that was proposed to Australia. Public bodies should urge the Government to permit landings at Auckland. Mr. A. G. Lunn said the Government undoubtedly knew more about the question than did members of the chamber. However, if a young country like NewZealand was to progress it must use every modern mechanical and scientific means available. • ... Mr. A. M. Seaman said that if the Government did not approve of the proposal it would be giving no advantage to British interests and would bo losing the advantage of the American service.