AIR TERMINAL.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 99, 29 April 1938, Page 8

AIR TERMINAL.

WELLINGTON INQUIRY

AUCKLAND ADVANTAGES. HA.KBOITR CHAIRMAN'S VTEW. "As I imilor.stand it. the committee of inquiry referred to uas set up not to inquire into the suitability of various Lsir'iours as bases for commercial flyinfrboat?. but only as to the suitability of Wellington Hart/our for that purpose." said the Hon. T. Blr.odworth. M.h.C. chaii man of the .Auckland Harbour Hoard, conimenting to-day on a Wellington nil , .* sage concerning Wellington's claims a-- an oversea- air terminal. I'he-e claims, were the -übject of a deputation to the Minister of Marine, the Hon. 1 , . Kr.i-er. veriterdav.

'■The very fact that it was considered necessary to set up .such a committee to. a* the report states, "in\ csti-rato the -uitability of Wellington Harbour as a living-bout, base.' shows clearly that there e.xUt doubts about the matter," Mr. Bloudworth continued. "So such inquiry is needed in the ease of Auckland Harbour, where, already, the base for the Pan-American service is established and where, a. few months afro, we had the Pan-American clipper and the British Imperial Airways' C'«ntaurus moored at the sii me time."'

Each of the craft landed and left ajrain without any difficulty as far us the harbour was concerned, and the fact that Auckland wan. chosen as the base bv the Pan-American company showed that it was considered suitable.

"For all that, it will not do for Auckland to sit back and do nothing." he went on. "A laudable effort hi l>eing made by tho commercial. harbour and civic authorities in Wellington to establish the claims of that city, and while their task would appear to be much more difficult on account of geographic and other disadvantages than is the case with Auckland, it is for the Auckland authorities and interests to sec that before a definite decision is made by the Government and air interests, Auckland's claims and advantages are fairly considered."

The public could, be assured, Mr. Bloodworth concluded, that the claims of Auckland would not be overlooked. Much had already been done.