B.A.C. 1-11

Press, Volume CV, Issue 30980, 9 February 1966, Page 12

B.A.C. 1-11

Sir,—World Wars I and II have weakened Britain. In comparison, the United States, as a principal arms, supplier and late entrant in each conflict, has emerged stronger and richer. The son has more or less inherited the mother economically and militarily. Mother may not approve of all her “black sheep” offspring is doing, but perhaps realises she needs economic rejuvenation before her voice can rise above Mr Wilson’s squeaky “Me too-ism.” New Zealand can help mother by buying British instead of United States where there is a reasonably equivalent product available. In so doing we also help ourselves by giving Britain reasons to preserve our own preferential access to her market. Thus the B.A.C. 1-11 Jis preferable to the Boeing 1737 —Yours, etc.. L. F. J. ROSS. February 4, 1966.

Sir,—Has not the United States resorted to political means in refusing B.A.C. 1-11 sales in its own country? This was simply done by stopping any subsidies that an airline was receiving if it bought British aircraft. This made it very difficult for airlines in America to buy the B.A.C. 1-11, even though some have continued to do so. In particular, American Airlines have on order 30 B.A.C. 1-11’s. This is the first time that this airline has ever ordered an aircraft built outside the United States. If it had not been for this “no subsidy embargo,” it would have been possible to sell many more B.A.C. 1-11’s, such was the rush of sales for them before the embargo. When disapproving of the sales methods of the British Minister, Mr Wills, president of the American Trade Association, was talking a lot of

nonsense. In future he should check his facts before accusing the British of trying to force a political deal.—Yours, etc WEYBRIDGE. February 8. 1966.