H—37

An ICAO North Pacific Regional Meeting was held in Seattle, U.S.A., on 13th July, 1948, to examine the needs of international flight in the North Pacific. New Zealand was represented by Dr. R. G. Simmers, Deputy Director of Meteorological Services, who also acted on behalf of the Civil Aviation-Branch. In January, February, and March, 1949, important divisional meetings of ICAO were held at Montreal. At the Communications Division, New Zealand was represented by Mr. I. A. Scott, Deputy Director of Civil Aviation, and Mr. D. F. Jenkins, Principal Communications Officer, while Mr. Scott and Mr. E. F. Carpenter, Chief Aeronautical Engineer, covered the meetings of the Operations Division and the Airworthiness Division. Many technical problems were dealt with at these meetings. Discussions were held during the year among representatives of New Zealand, Australia, and the Colonial Secretary's Office, Suva, in order to resolve particular items as they arose. Matters considered included the question of the future location of the International Airport in Fiji (as a preliminary investigation prior to the meeting of the South Pacific Air Transport Council), the introduction of landing fees at this airport, and the subject of fares and rates. One of the most important conferences was the third meeting of the South Pacific Air Transport Council (SPATC) held in Wellington in November-December, 1948. This Council, which was set up as a result of a recommendation made by the Wellington Civil Aviation Conference in February, 1946, is an advisory body Laving among its functions the continual review and promotion of progress and development of Commonwealth civil air communications in the South Pacific. The Council is also required to advise member Governments on the development, installation, operation, and maintenance of such technical and other facilities, including aerodromes, as are considered by the Council to be necessary in their respective territories for the safe and efficient operation of existing or contemplated Commonwealth air services in the South Pacific or on the main-trunk routes traversing that area. There are two standing committees established by the Council —the Committee for Air Navigation and Ground Organization (S.P. CANGO), and the Committee of Meteorologists (S.P. COMET). The two Committees met in Wellington in November, 1948, and delegates were present from the United Kingdom, Australia, Fiji, and New Zealand. At the conclusion of these meetings the third meeting of the South Pacific Air Transport Council was convened in Wellington on the 29th November, being attended by delegations from the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Fiji, and New Zealand. This was the first meeting of the Council at which Canada has been represented as a full member State. The Conference met under the chairmanship of the Hon. F. Jones, Minister in Charge of Civil Aviation, who also led the New Zealand delegation. The Australian delegation was led by the Hon. A. S. Drakeford, Minister of Civil Aviation in Australia (permanent Chairman of the Council), the United Kingdom delegation by Sir Patrick Duff, United Kingdom High Commissioner in New Zealand, the Canadian delegation by Mr. A. Rive, Canadian High Commissioner in New Zealand, and the Fiji and Western Pacific High Commission delegation by Mr. J. F. Nicoll, Colonial Secretary, Fiji. Advisers from seven airlines also attended, these being 8.0.A.C, C.P.A., 8.C.P.A., QANTAS, T.A.A., N.Z.N.A.C, and T.E.A.L. The Secretariat was provided by the Civil Aviation Branch, which also was responsible for the organization arrangements of the Conference. The matters dealt with by the Council at this meeting included a review of the operation of the trans-Pacific and trans-Tasman services. Consideration was also given to the operation of regional services in the South Pacific Area, and to the report of the

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