TASMAN AIRWAY

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20129, 26 December 1939, Page 5

TASMAN AIRWAY

MAY BEGIN SOON MODIFIED SERVICE MR. FRASER’S OPINION | “APPRECIABLY NEARER’’ (P«r Press Association.) WELLINGTON, this day. In spite of the war the trans-Tasman air service may be begun shortly, stated the Minister of Education and Health, the Hon. P. Fraser, on his return to Wellington yesterday from London. “While in Sydney and Melbourne last week I had several interviews with the Australian Prime Minister, Mr. R. G. Menzies and other Ministers." said Mr. Fraser. “The general desire was expressed for even closer co-operation in the war efforts of both countries as well as in economic and trade relationships generally. I assured them that New Zealand would cordially reciprocate any suggestions or proposals on the lines indicated, and that we were prepared to cooperate whole-heartedly in the war efforts of the two countries as well as in ordinary trade matters. Appreciably Nearer “I think that as a result of several conferences in London and my discussions with Mr. Menzies, and Mr. Holt, acting-Minister for Air, and officers of the Civil Aviation Department in Melbourne, the commencement of the trans-Tasman air service has been brought appreciably nearer. When I arrived in London I was confronted with the disconcerting in-: formation that both the United Kingdom and the Australian Governments had decided that the trans-Tasman service should be definitely postponed at least until the end of the war. However, on the position as seen by the New Zealand Government being explained, both from a trans-Tasman and defence points of view, the United Kingdom altered its attitude and I fully anticipate that both the United Kingdom and the Australian Governments will co-operate in establishing the service, probably on a modified scale.