PARAPJKA3E TEU#HAM
To the United Kingdom High Commissioners in the
Commonwealth of Australia and How Zealand.
(Bent 10 p.m.. 17th March, 1939.)
Reference my immediately preceding telegram.
Objections aeon to adoption of proposals of His
Majesty^ Government in the Commonwealth of Australia for
sectionalioation of the Trans-Pacific Air rout© are as
follows:~
(a) The main objection iS that proposals do not
accord with policy of open door and complete reciprocity
in Pacific which we should like to see established. Our
plan would he the operation right across the Pacific'of
United States and British Commonwealth services in close
co-operation, with reciprocal landing rights in New Zealand
and /jnerican Continent respectively, open rights at
intermediate stopping places, common use of ground
organisation and mutual consultation regarding time tables
and frequency.       Australian proposals abandon above
principles and sectionalise operations.
Other objections seen to scheme are
(b) it abandons the idea of a direct British
Commonwealth air link between Canada and Australia and
New Zealand.
(c) It restircts general devlopment of Imperial
communications and prevent3 completion of trunk route
round the world.
(d) The bargain is completely one-sided.     On the
one hand reciprocal rights Which wo are entitled to claim
in United States territory are surrendered and on other
hand
hand rights in Christmas and other British Islands North of
Equator are accorded without compensating advantages.
We already possess suitable intermediate airporr* in South
Pacific rights in which could properly "be exchanged for
reciprocal rights in United states' island*, particularly
Hawaii.
We are therefore opposed to adoption of Australian
scheme which involves these disactvantage* and to acceptance
of position that United States air service would alone
provide important part of link bctwoen Australia- New
Zealand and Canada.
It may be argued that Australian proposals ar*
intended only as short term? policy pending conclusion of
later arrangement for.full through service on hasis of
reciprocity.
It seems to us however that a subsequent .
development on the linos we desire would "be prejudiced
rather than facilitated "by proposed sectionalisation.
Hcreover, as regards actual operation of route British
flying boats which will fly North Atlantic- this summer have
range necessary for Trans-Pacific service and there is no
reason why development of latter service by British
Commonwealth interests should be regarded as remote
contingency.
Please put the above mentioned ccr-oiderations to
Commonwealth Government emphasising fact that an excellent
opportunity of discussing the matter further would appear to
be provifled by forthcoming Conference,
Addressed High Corariissioner, Canberra Ho.53. Repeated
High Commissioner Wellington No* 12.