AIR SERVICES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22719, 4 November 1935, Page 10

AIR SERVICES

SPANNING THE PACIFIC PAN-AMERICAN CORPORATION EARLY AGREEMENT EXPECTED (Pen United Press Association) AUCKLAND, November 3. Signature of the memorandum of agreement between the Government of New Zealand and Pan-American Airways by their respective representatives will probably b? completed within a few days. Negotiations on outstanding points were continued during last week, and a final decision will be reached upon confirmation of the draft terms by the corporation. Remaining for settlement was a clause providing that British aviation companies should have rights of entry into United States territory similar to those to be granted to the American company by New Zealand. Following the announcement by the Government that negotiations were approaching conclusion, the corporation’s attorney, Mr Lisle Alderton, conferred with the Minister of Finance, Mr Coates, and then went to Wellington, where the question was discussed with officers of various departments at a conference on Friday. Details of the Clause were settled and the proposed text has been submitted to Mr Coates for his approval. It will be communicated to the corporation, which, i* is expected, will agree that the terms are satisfactory. According to a cablegram received by Mr Alderton on Friday the corporation regards this question as the only one . remaining for settlement. Provision is made in the draft agreement for a commencement next year of operations by the corporation. This also will be confirmed by cable before the agreement is signed. MR GATTY’S REPORTED COMMENT DENIAL CONVEYED BY CABLEGRAM. (United Press Association) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) ■ HONOLULU, November 1. Mr Harold Gatty and Dr Dana Coman will sail on Sunday to inspect the equatorial islands from Honolulu to Pago Pago in the yacht Kinkajou, stopping at Jarvis, Baker and Howland Islands to pick up two men left at each of these islands by Dr Coman last August. Mr Gatty. returned from Washington by the Malolo on Thursday, and says he is on vacation, “loafing and trying his hand at fishing.” Mr Gatty has been granted furlough for the remainder of the year from his duties as navigation instructor in the United States army at Rockwell Field, San Diego, California. He expects to return in mid-December, and states that he 'and Dr Coman are organising guano exploitation of some small islands, with headquarters at Pago Pago. v Mr Gatty says he does not expect a Honolulu-Auckland service in less than five years, hut disclaims knowledge of the plans of Pan-American .‘Airways. A Press Association telegram ■from Auckland says that the statement in the foregoing cablegram concerning the date of inauguration of the Pacific air service to New Zealand was referred by cable on Saturday to Mr Gatty, and he has cabled in reply: “ Statement purported to have been made by me is entirely untrue. Original plans are unchanged. Prospects are entirely dependent on the New Zealand Government.” s