PM Transcripts

FOR PRESS P0M. No 20/ 1964
AIRLINES
Statement by the Prime Minister the Rt. o_ Sir Robert Menzies
The Prime Minister, Sir Robert Menzies, tonight
released his reply to a letter he had received fromra the Premier
of New South Wales, Mr. Renshaw, on Wednesday. The Prime
Minister's reply reads
" Your letter of October 20th seems to overlook
the fact that it is only the commencement o2 your Air
Transport Act, with its particularly harsh penalties,
that can prevent a continuation of existing air services
to Dubbo and Orange.
There is, in the Commonwealth's view, no
reason whatsoever why the existing air services should
not continue while the question of conflicting Commonwealth
and State laws is resolved. Your proposal is
that a change be made pending legal challenge. That
would, of course, be contrary to usual practice which is
to maintain the status quo pending the determination of
any legal issues. Despite what you say about previous judgments
of the High Court and Privy Council, the truth. is that
neither has considered the position as it now stands.
The judgments to which you refer seem to me to have little
bearing on current matters, except that some comments
made in the High Court judgments sipport the view, upon
which the Cormonwealth has acted, that the Commonwealth
has wide powers in this field.
As I see it, your letter attempts to present
the matter in such a form that the blame in the public
mind for any dislocation of air services will fall on the
Common. ealth whereas, in fact, any dislocation of air
services can only result from a decision of your Government
not to defer the commencement of your new Transport
Act. If your Government is determined to let your Act
come into force, and not to allow the status quo to
continue pending the litigation, you will understand that
my Government will have to make it clear to the public
who is responsible for any dislocation of services which
results. R. G. MENZIES
PRIME MINISTER."
CANBERRA, 22nd October, 196-4.