IMPERIAL CHAIN OF AIR ROUTES

Southland Times, Issue 23227, 16 June 1937, Page 5

IMPERIAL CHAIN OF AIR ROUTES

LONDON COMMITTEE’S SUGGESTION EXTENSIVE ENTERPRISE RECOMMENDED (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright) LONDON, June 14. The report of the Civil Air Communications Committee of the Imperial Conference states that the committee under the chairmanship of Sir Archdale Parkhill (Australia), discussed the prospect of establishing a British Commonwealth chain inter-connecting all parts of the Empire and methods or co-operation in the matter. The committee arranged that the proposed air services across the Tasman arid the Pacific should be discussed by the delegations concerned. The committee recommended that the conference adopt a resolution: ... (1) -Appreciating the many benents that could be secured by substantial and extensive civil aviation enterprises, and declaring that the conference unanimously approves of the members of the British Commonwealth pursuing a vigorous policy embracing territorial expansion and inter-connection. (2) Affirming its willingness to cooperate to the greatest possible extent to link members by air lines. (3) Recognizing that the most eitective co-operation and the most efficient organization can best be settled by the governments concerned in each Particular case, but recognizing also, where it is desired by the government, its local control not only in its own territory but by agreement with other gov-, ernments in adjacent areas in which it is particularly interested(4) Consultation about facilities granted to foreign services, if they are likely to affect another member, should be accompanied by the best endeavours to secure reciprocity if required. (5) Suggesting consideration of including concessions to foreigners, with a general safeguard of the governments’ right to take over the ground organization.

SHIPPING REPORT The Committee on Shipping Questions, of which Mr Walter Nash (New Zealand) was chairman, noting certain forms and methods of discrimination prejudicing British shipping if not threatening its elimination, recommended the reaffirmation of the 1923 conference’s declaration on shipping, which provides that any government of the Commonwealth of Nations invite consultation on the matter in the event of any threat to British shipping. The sub-committee considering the trans-Pacific problem has not reached any finality arid the matter will continue to be considered by the four governments concerned. The Polar Committee, under the chairmanship of Mr R. G. Casey (Australia), reports having considered how co-operation can best be pursued in scientific and economic activities in the Antarctic, particularly in the establishment of meteorological stations and activities that the Royal research ship Discovery II during any voyage might undertake south of the territories administered by the Australian and New Zealand governments. It was recommended that the attention of the Australian, New Zealand and South African governments be drawn to the suggestion of the Director of the United Kingdom Meteorological Office, in the interest of accurately forecasting the weather throughout the world, that one or two permanent meteorological stations be established in the Antarctic for the accurate recording of daily climatic conditions. It was hoped that the Discovery II would shortly carry out a cruise of 20 months and that the United Kingdom, in conjunction with the other interested governments, would consider a programme and policy of future Antarctic investigations. It was recommended, in the meantime, that the Dominions be kept in the closest touch with the Discovery’s work and be invited to appoint representatives from their permanent London staffs to attend the committee meetings, and also that the United Kingdom Government select a few scientific or other workers to accompany the Discovery II on its next cruise.