Deputy Prime Minister [1] from Drakeford.

1. Civil Aviation Conference is getting down to consideration of
the real issues involved and progress is being made especially in
the field of technical convention.

2. After some manoeuvring we obtained to-day consideration by the
main committee in plenary session which in effect amounted to full
conference of the Australia - New Zealand proposal for
international ownership and operation of international trunk
routes. [2]

3. Speeches in support of the resolution were made by Sullivan and
myself An amendment which had been circulated by Brazil was then
read. This amendment while endorsing the resolution as an [3]
objective went on to state that in the opinion of this Conference
it was premature to adopt it. This was seconded by Ecuador.

4. Afghanistan strongly supported the resolution. To the surprise
of the Conference, France supported the Australian and New Zealand
proposal. The amendment was carried on the voices but a number of
other states dissented.

5. The French delegation then insisted that the Conference should
at least attempt some implementation of a principle to which so
many nations had inclined and moved a further amendment calling on
the Conference to examine the application of policy of
international ownership and operation even if only to the extent
of one main route to convince the world of its practicability and
value. The chairman [4] ruled this amendment out of order on
technical grounds but the French delegation obtained their right
of reservation to introduce this subject at an appropriate time.

6. The discussion aroused very considerable interest and, as the
Committee was open to the press, it is certain that wide publicity
will result. We have in any case presented our principle to a
world forum and have obtained very wide sympathy and some degree
of practical support.

7. Copies of the texts of speeches and proceedings will follow by
air mail.