Editorial Note
pp. 9-10 · Read in the full issue
THITHER the public meeting or the newspaper correspondent has been seriously misinformed. The matter will not come before the Federal Parliament.
The plan has not been under considera tion for 18 months. There is no sugges tion of a monopoly being given to Guinea Airways Ltd., and of the public being left at the mercy of that company.
Presumably, some public statement will be made by the Minister; but, as we are now going to press, we may briefly state the position as we understand it.
In view of national defence require ments, the policy of aviation control has been under review throughout the Em pire, and the Home and Dominion Gov ernments have decided that air transport generally must be carried on by com panies of sufficient strength and efficiency to enable them to be incorporated imme diately in a national defence organisa tion in time of emergency. In view of this, and of the need for protecting the public against risk in air transport, a policy has been formulated of discourag ing enterprises by small and weak air transport concerns, which cannot provide an efficient ground service. Instead, the formation of powerful air transport com
panies will be encouraged, and the public will be protected against exploitation, and the aviation companies against the mani fest dangers of rate-cutting by poorly equipped concerns, by a system of charters.
In the case of New Guinea, it is pro posed to wipe out all of the existing com panies, and give a charter to a concern representing a merger of all interests; but the new concern must give guaran tees that it will maintain efficient and safe services, with a complete ground organisation; and that its freight and passenger rates shall not exceed a level that, in the opinion of the Governments concerned, is fair and reasonable.
That is the plan, as we understand it.
Unfortunately, it creates a monopoly, and this generation is very sick and tired of monopolies. The hostility of Wau, in the circumstances, is not at all surprising. If the plan goes through, it will be the duty of the Administration to see that the New Guinea people are adequately protected against exploitation.