MALTA. AIRLIFT OF CANBERRA PASSENGER BEGINS.

Record ID: 910466

  • Title: MALTA. AIRLIFT OF CANBERRA PASSENGER BEGINS.
  • Date: 7th January 1963
  • Summary: NO available shotlist Initials DD/S/AW/LW Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved
  • Embargoed: 12th November 2016 14:39
  • Keywords:
  • Location: VALETTA, MALTA
  • Country: Malta
  • Reuters ID: LVA6F7K2I5E0W8LMFS7DZ3IOBILW
  • Aspect Ratio: 4:3
  • Story Text: BY AIR AND BY SEA - HELP IS ON THE WAY FOR THE STRANDED PASSENGERS ONBOARD THE FIRE-CRIPPLED P AND O FLAGSHIP, CANBERRA, UNDER EMERGENCY REPAIRS IN VALETTA HARBOUR, MALTA. THE FIRST OF EIGHT FLIGHTS FOR 900 OF THE LINER'S 2,000-PLUS PASSENGER LEFT MALTA TODAY (MONDAY) FOR CAIRO, ADEN AND PERTH. PLANES FROM BRITISH UNITED AIRWAYS, EL-AL, QANTAS AND KLM WILL ALSO TAKE PASSENGERS TO SYDNEY, MELBOURNE AND AUCKLAND.

    FOR A THIRD OF ABOUT 300 PASSENGERS WHO DECIDED AT A SHIPBOARD MEETING ON SUNDAY TO BOYCOTT THE AIRLIFT, CAME GOOD NEWS TODAY. A P AND O SPOKESMAN ANNOUNCED THAT PLACES HAD BEEN BOOKED FOR THEM ON BOARD THE DUTCH LINER, WILLEM RUYS, 23,112 TONS, DUE AT MALTA TOMORROW (TUESDAY). THE DUTCH SHIP IS ON A ROUND THE WORLD VOYAGE WHICH WILL TAKE HER TO AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND.

    THE MAIN OBJECTION VOICED BY IMMIGRANTS AMONG THE STRANDED PASSENGERS WHO DO NOT WANT TO FLY - THAT THEIR EARLIER-THAN-EXPECTED ARRIVAL IN AUSTRALIA WOULD BE A FINANCIAL HARDSHIP - HAS NOW BEEN MET BY THE AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT. AND OFFICIAL AT AUSTRALIA HOUSE, LONDON, SAID THE BRITISH IMMIGRANTS WOULD BE GIVEN HOSTEL ACCOMMODATION AT GOVERNMENT EXPENSE.

    MEANWHILE TONIGHT ON BOARD THE CANBERRA MORE PASSENGERS ATTENDED A TOMBOLA GAME THAN THE LATEST MEETING CALLED BY THE PASSENGERS "ACTION COMMITTEE".
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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