AIR COMMISSION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26027, 15 December 1945, Page 7

AIR COMMISSION

PROPOSAL FOR THE PACIFIC DISCUSSIONS AT CANBERRA CANBERRA, Dec. 13. The establishment of a Pacific air commission to operate a full passenger, mail, and air freight service between Britain and Australia, and linking up with New Zealand, was discussed at talks between the Commonwealth and New Zealand Governments to-day. The delegation from New Zealand, which is headed by the Minister of Industries and Commerce, Supply and Munitions. Mr D. G. Sullivan, is here to discuss aviation matters as well as trade questions. The proposal for the air commission fits in with the Australian and New Zealand belief in control and operation under Government ownership of a system of ait trunk routes by the Governments of the * British Commonwealth. Announcing that the discussions nad included the setting up of a Pacific air commission, the Commonwealth Minister for Air, Mr A- S. Drakeford, said the commission would include the United Kingdom. Other civil aviation matters of mutual interest to the two countries were discussed. Mr Drakeford said the discussions would proceed further on an official level during the visit of the New Zealand delegation. No binding decisions on any probable British Commonwealth aerial service to be set up can be reached at the conference, because Britain must advance her views. The visit of the delegation was expedited by the news that the R.A.F. Pacific transport service was anxious to end its service because of the costs involved. Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom were anxious that an Empire service should be introduced as soon as possible to replace the military all-red service.