Prospects of Resuming

Guinea Airways

Prospects of Resuming TNG Services

PROSPECTS of resumption of Guinea Airways services in New Guinea (withdrawn when the Japs invaded m January, 1941) were thus referred to by the chairman (Mr. Sidney Powell) at the annual meeting in Adelaide on May 29: “In my report last year I informed share holders that Captain Hammond had been appointed to manage the Company’s af fairs in New Guinea, and had been installed at Lae to watch developments in antici pation of resuming services when that course appeared desirable. I also pointed out that a successful resumption was largely dependent upon whether or not the road to the goldfields built during the war was maintained in proper repair.

“Events have shown that while the road has not always been available, its inter mittent use has enabled the gold mining companies to take advantage of the cheaper motor transport. Obviously, in termittent air transport would be most unprofitable to the operator.

“The further difficulties that intrude are firstly that of obtaining a licence, as we are informed that it is the Government’s policy to use Qantas Airways, in which it has acouired or is acquiring the whole of the shareholding, as its instrument in ex-Australian living services, and. sec ondly, that of securing adequate native labour, which is at present unobtainable.

“In the face of these circumstances, we reluctantly reached the conclusion that the Company’s prospects of resuming operations in New Guinea on a payable basis are remote and we accordingly with drew Captain Hammond. We have, how ever, made arrangements whereby we will be kept informed of any developments which might lead to a resumption of our pre-war activities.”

The Co. made a profit of £33,747 last year and is now in a strong financial position.