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He said a decision was taken at the earliest opportunity after the latest talks to alleviate any uncertainty on the part of passengers who had bookings for the period after April 30.

The spokesman said the grace period was intended to serve several

purposes.

"In addition to removing passenger uncertainty, it gives Qantas adequate time in which to consider the impact of the new permit conditions and to take whatever steps are necessary to meet these conditions.'

"It also allows time for the two sides to have further discussions before the introduction of the restriction,' he explained.

"We are not inflexible on the matter of fifth freedom traffic and it is our strong preference for a solution to be found before July 1," the spokesman emphasised.

End/Thursday, April 20, 1995

Value of manufacturers' orders-on-hand in February

The value of manufacturers' orders-on-hand for local production in February increased by 7% over a year earlier, according to the provisional results of a monthly survey released today (Thursday) by the Census and Statistics Department.

Comparing February this year with February 1994, significant increases in the value of outstanding orders were recorded in the electronic products industry (+33%) and the plastic products industry (+12%). Increases in orders were also recorded in the printing and publishing industry (+7%), the wearing apparel industry (+4%) and the electrical products industry (+3%).