DOMINION'S POSITION

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22350, 22 February 1936, Page 13

DOMINION'S POSITION

UNABLE TO SEND MINISTER AUSTRALIAN ENVOY LIKELY [BT TKI.KGRArH —OWN CORRESPONDENT] WELLINGTON, Friday There is a possibility that a representative of the Australian Government will come to New Zealand to discuss with the Dominion Government important questions relating to the air mail scheme of Imperial Airways, a Tasman air service and subsidised foreign shipping competition in the Pacific. Negotiations between the two Governments have been proceeding for a fairly long time, apparently without achieving much, if any, progress. It is recognised in political circles that time is becoming precious in view of the fact that the proposed Imperial Airways mail service is supposed to come into operation next year. The New Zealand Government has submitted to the Commonwealth Government an outline of its policy and both Governments are willing and anxious to have a conference on the subject. Although the Australian authorities would welcome a visit by. a New Zealand Minister, it appears that in view of the approaching session of the Dominion Parliament to deal with legislation of vital importance, it is considered out of the question to send a New Zealand Minister to Australia. For this reason it is confidently anticipated that the Commonwealth Government will agree to send a Minister to Wellington in the near future. The Prime Minister, Mr. Savage, said to-day that as all the communications with the Commonwealth Government were of a qonfidential nature he could not disclose the details. Both Governments were keeping in close touch regarding matters of mutual interest, particularly those referring to a. Tasman air service and subsidised shipping in the Pacific. It was impossible, however, to make a definite announcement as to the policy and course of action likely to be followed.

WORKING IN UNISON IMPORTANCE OF PROJECT [BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION*] WELLINGTON. Friday Although reticence has been observed regarding New Zealand's attitude on the question of the proposed Tasman air service, it is believed that the opinion of the New Zealand Government has been' transmitted confidentially to the Australian Government, and that the suggestion is made that the two countries. both of which are vitally concerned in the project, will work more or less in unison.

It is understood that the view taken in Government circles in New Zealand is that Australia and New Zealand' should control their own air services, and that preference should be giveu to those who have pioneered the Tasman service. In addition, the view is taken that local control will enable an earlier start to he made with regular crossings of the Tasman. It is understood that if the proposals of the Transtasman Air Service Development Company, Limited, are accepted by the New Zealand Government the service will be in operation within a few months.

BRITISH SERVICE MACHINE DELAYED SYDNEY. Feb. 21 The incoming British air mail, due at Sydney to-day, will not arrive until Monday. The delayed air mail may connect with the Wanganella which is scheduled to leave Sydney on Monday evening for Auckland, where she is due next Friday morning.