PRIVATE CHARTER

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26628, 26 November 1947, Page 4

PRIVATE CHARTER

USE OF AIR FORCE PLANES MINISTER’S EXPLANATION Parliamentary Reporter WELLINGTON, Nov. 25. A clause in the Air Force Bill which empowers the Minister of Defence to authorise the air force to operate aircraft for hire or reward was criticised by Mr M. H. Oram (Oppn., Manawatu) during consideration of the Bill in the House of Representatives to-day. He said there should have been some explanation of the circumstances under which the air force might be authorised to act as a common carrier. The Prime Minister, Mr Fraser, said the air force sometimes carried civilians to Japan and might on occasions undertake emergency flights to such places as the Chatham Islands. Mr Oram said the National Airways Corporation was set up to provide the necessary air services, and when aero clubs recently asked to be allowed to operate certain charter services, such as air taxi 'services, which the Airways Corporation did riot provide, the clubs were told that they must apply to the corporation for permission to conduct any such services. The clubs were not allowed to render these services as of right. The Minister of Civil Aviation, Mr Jones, said that No. 41 Squadron had recently carried several trade representatives to Japan, and had taken other civilians in the past. Hitherto there-had been no authority for charging any fare when civilians were carried in air force planes, but it was only reasonable that if passengers were taken they should pay a fare In the event of an emergency in the Chathams or elsewhere the air force might be asked to supply the planes because the Airways Corporation did not have sufficient aircraft at its disposal to meet such exceptional demands. There was no justification for the fears expressed by the member for Manawatu. The Bill was passed.