PACIFIC AVIATION

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 193, 13 May 1944, Page 8

PACIFIC AVIATION

British Share After The War NEW ZEALAND VIEW (By Telegraph.—Press Assn. —Copyright.' (Special Correspondent.) jjONDON, May 11. The development of British aviation in the Pacific, not in competition with the United States, but after consultation with the Americans, was very strongly urged Iby Mr. Fraser at the Prime Ministers’ Conference. It is understood that 'Mr. Fraser had detailed plans for every possible postwar Pacific air route worked out lor him by experts before he left New Zealand, but before the conference there were proposals for at least two transpacific routes that could well be developed by Britain. He stressed New Zealand s desire to be associated in every way with the development of these routes, saying that if an international scheme was impossible there should be adequate British development. New Zealand would finish the war. with a large body of highly skilled airmen which would be proportionately greater than that of other countries, and which obviously would be excellently qualified to run services both from New Zealand to the Pacific islands and to the American continent. ... On the question of shipping Mr. Fraser put forward a scheme for New Zealand to have as large a share as possible of the shipping facilities in Pacific and, of course, in New Zealand waters. Importance to Dominion. This session of the conference was of particular importance to New Zealand, and Mr. Fraser made the point that she must not be isolated from the rest of the world by any lack of communications. Australia, it is understood, is not so vitally concerned with transpacific air routes, because she can re-establish her link with Britain via India, .Singapore, and the Dutch East Indies. A very firm impression of Mr. Fraser’s ability as a statesman, his shrewdness, farsightedness, and well-informed mind has been made, it is understood, on the conference. It is believed that he has the same outspoken, forthright manner in conference as Mr. Churchill, and that in talks where no’ punches were pulled and no agreement reached till after the most frank discussion, Mr ; , Eraser, with long experience of trade union bargaining behind him, has taken his full share, impressing Mr. Churchill and particularly Field-Marshal Smuts. It has been observed that Mr. Fraser on the public platform is a very different person from what he is in the conference room. While a somewhat duil atmosphere may sometimes pervade his public utterances, and his long sentences, studded with parentheses within parentheses, have drawn the comment in English newspapers that “he is a speaker rather than an orator,” he promotes a decidedly different-atmosphere at the conference table. Yet despite that atmosphere his public utterances and his observations have been widely publicized, and hr* has been quoted frequently in connexion with-Commonwealth relations.

NEW ZEALAND VISIT

Mr. Churchill Believed To Have Agreed (By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright.) (Special Australian Correspondent.) LONDON, May IL" iWhen Mr. Churchill visits Australia at the invitation of Mr. Curtin it can be taken for granted that he will also visit New Zealand. 'lt is understood that the New Zealand Gbvernment last year extended a warm invitation to Mr. Churchill and the War Cabinet to visit New Zealand, and that Mi - . Churchill accepted. He has never previously had an opportunity to visit the Dominion, but it is known that he iSjparticularly anxious to see the country for whose troops, he has expressed suca profound admiration. The invitation and its acceptance were at that time kept secret for reasons of security. When ne will be able to pay the visit and how many members of the War Cabinet will be able to accompany him it is, of course, , impossible to indicate at the present tijne.

MR. AND MRS. FRASER’S WEEK

('Received May 12. 7.30 p.m.) (Official News Service.) LONiDON, May 11. This is proving to be another extremely busy week for the Prime Ministers, with many discussions and a great deal of official business outside the Commonwealth conference hours. Mr. Fraser has again seen Mr. Churchill, Mr. Eden, and Viscount Cranborne, and’has also had a talk with the United States Ambassador, Mr. Winant. A recent caller was Sir Thomas Mitchell, Lord Provost of Aberdeen. This afternoon Mr. Fraser visited the House of Commons to hear, the address given by_ Mr. Mackenzie, King, and this evening is to be at an official reception tendered tby the British Government to the visiting Prime Ministers and their staffs. Mrs. Fraser has spent a good deal of time this week in New Zealand headquarters in London, examining the organization of relief for Dominion prisoners of war in enemy camps in Europe. She has had talks with Mr. C. B. Burdekin, who is in charge of that activity, and Mr. Keith West Watson, who is the agent here for the University of New Zealand and arranges study courses for prisoners of war. ,