PACIFIC AVIATION

Wairarapa Times-Age, 8 July 1943, Page 3

PACIFIC AVIATION

THE POST=WAR YEARS AUSTRALIA & MEW ZEALAND NEEDS. DISCUSSION IN LONDON. (By Telegraph—Press Association-—Copyright) LONDON, July 7. The aviation needs of Australia and New Zealand in the post-war years have been vigorously stated here. The belief that the question is irrevocably linked with the economic development and defence needs of both countries for the next 25 years has been expressed by Australia, who has made it clear that she is not wedded to a policy of reserving intra-Empire traffic for the Empire. “The freer the air, the - quicker its development,” is Australia’s slogan. The Commonwealth favours the widest possible ownership, with reasonable Government control. It has been stated that Australia’s and New Zealand’s survival depends more on air power than on any other factor, and that these countries must have adequate supply of efficient aircraft, not only for defence, but for the maintenance of their economic development. The area linked with Australia's air defence is defined as 1500 miles northwest, north, and north-east of thhe continent, plus an arrangement with New Zealand for joint action in the area a similar distance north and north-west of the. Dominion. Australia, it has been stated, would consider sympathetically proposals for free and equal opportunities, similar to those for shipping, subject to certain reservations, especially if Australia’s “internal traffic” area was extended to include New Zealand, Timor, New Guinea, New Caledonia, and Fiji. Australia gives the following reminder to Britain concerning the production of transport and passenger planes: “American experience in the construction and operation of transport planes has been' enormously important to Australia. What the United States so far has produced for her own requirements has been found more suitable for Australian requirements than British aircraft, but this need not be permanent. if British aircraft are made to met the requirements”