PAN-AMERICAN SCHEME

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22675, 12 March 1937, Page 13

PAN-AMERICAN SCHEME

TERMINAL AT AUCKLAND EMPIRE RIGHTS GUARDED The air service between San Francisco and Auckland planned by Pan-American Airways has been definitely assured by the completion last night of negotiations between the company and the New Zealand Government for an extension to the end of this year of the period within which the service must be commenced. An announcement to this effect was made by the Prime Minister last evening. Mr. Savage said that in view of the difficulties experienced, especially through the maritime strike on the Pacific Coast, it would have been inequitable to have refused the extension provided for in the previous agreement. It was further stated by the Prime Minister that the Governments of all Empire countries concerned had been consulted, and the interests of the Empire had been fully safeguarded. The Australian and New Zealand representative of PanAmerican Airways, Mr. Harold Gatty, in a statement made in Wellington last night, said the exact moment when the test flight would be begun by the Clipper now waiting at San Francisco depended on the date when facilities at Auckland would be ready. This involved the clearance of some equipment by the customs and the provision of radio facilities, without which no flight was possible.