PACIFIC AIRWAYS

Waikato Times, Volume 121, Issue 20261, 2 August 1937, Page 7

PACIFIC AIRWAYS

FIGHT FOR BASES. ANGLO-AMERICAN RIVALRY. IMPORTANCE OF CANTON ISLAND. United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright. LONDON, July 26. The Paoiflc airways are being discussed In many quarters, including the lobbies of the House of Commons. The Anglo-American rivalry for bases is likened to the fight for shipping supremacy. The importance of Canton Island, in the Paciflo, is stressed, and there is speculation as to how many coral atolls there are in the Pacific, the status of which has not been determined. Mr Tom Clarke, a well-known journalist, Illustrates an article in the Daily Telegraph with a map depicting “ the known United States ” routes, and also the suggested British routes, including Sydney-Auckland-Fiji-Can-ton Island-Christmas Island —Hono-lulu-San Franclsco-Vancouver. A Pawn in the Game, “ Canton Island Is one of the pawns in the diplomatic game,” he declares, which will determine the answer—whether the Pacific is to become practically an American air reserve or not. Canton Island is one of several similar remote islands about which International argument is growing. Any of them might In the not very distant future become an air Clapham Junction. But for whom? Us or America? “ The Americans do not want to stop at New Zealand. Their objective Is Australia. “We cannot idly watch the growth southward of an excluslvely-Amerlcan network of Paciflo airways, including the routes to the British Dominions. “In co-operation with America,” he continues, “ we shall have a regular trans-Atlantio service. It will link up with the services across Canada to the Pacific seaboard. What then? Are we to hand over trans-Paciflc traffic to America and to the Clippers? Is the Canadian service to be left in the air at Vancouver? Why not some measure of co-operation in the Pacific, as on the Atlantic? If American air liners are allowed the traffic to New Zealand, British air liners ought to have reciprocal concessions. A British Route. “ I believe there is a project for an ultimate British route across the Pacific from Australia to Canada. Its realisation appears to depend on the battle over the islands and on American goodwill.”