BERLIN AIR LIFT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27025, 9 March 1949, Page 5

BERLIN AIR LIFT

MR ATTLEE IMPRESSED NZPA—Copyright LONDON, Mar. 7,

The Prime Minister, Mr Attlee, said when he arrived at Northolt airport from Berlin, that he was _ “ tremendously impressed ” by 'the air lift. “ The co-operation between ourselves and the Americans is extremely good,” he said, “ and the morale of the Eerliners is wonderful.” Mr Attlee has assured 2,400,000 Germans in Berlin’s western sectors that Britain will determinedly support the blockaded city’s three major needs, says the Berlin correspondent of the Daily Herald. The needs are:— 1. An increase in the already gigantic air lift. 2. A practical settlement of the chaos caused by the two currencies—one issued by the Western Powers and the other by the Russians. 3. Imports of raw materials for Western Berlin’s industries. The Premier of Lower Saxony, Dr Heinrich Kopf, said the other questions discussed were the future position of Germany in Western Europe, the defraying of occupation costs, and a trusteeship for the iron and steel industries. The Lord Mayor of Berlin, Ernest Reuter, said: ‘‘Mr Attlee’s visit has been a real tonic to us.” Before Mr Attlee left Germany he received a silver plate engraved with the city arms from Berliners. Mr Attlee’s plane was piloted by the New Zealander, Flight Lieutenant Norman Wickes, of Kumara, who has been with the Commonwealth Squadron for two years.