The reason why Qantas, the Australian airline, cancelled the appointment of a sales representative to Israel is being “fully investigated,” Sen. Denham Henty, Minister of Civil Aviation, informed the Australian Parliament today. He made that statement in a letter to W. Aston. Government whip in Parliament, who had asked for clarification of the issue. Mr. Henty stated that the matter “is receiving urgent consideration. “
Qantas had appointed an Australian, Colin Atkinson, last May, as its sales representative in Israel, and Mr. Atkinson bad left for his post in Israel after having been officially presented here to leaders of the Jewish community. Two weeks ago, it was discovered that he was back in Australia, but there was no official explanation from the airline for his return. It was indicated that his appointment had been cancelled, and there were reports that the cancellation was due to Arab pressures.
B. Newman, president of the New South Wales Jewish Board of Deputies, today requested of Qantas that its chief executive meet with a delegation of Jewish leaders to explain the reasons for the cancellation of Mr. Atkinson’s appointment,
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