CITY AIRPORT

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21863, 17 August 1936, Page 8

CITY AIRPORT

USB BY MILITARY MACHINES MINISTER TO DISCUSS PROJECT Before the construction cf the city airport at Harewood is commenced arrangements must be made I« ween the Government and the Christchurch City Council about the financing of the project and about the right of military aircraft to use the ground. This was indicated by the Minister for Public works (the Hon. R. Semple) in an interview on Saturday, and these points will be discussed between Mr Semple and the Mayor (Mr J, W. Beanland) to-day. Mr Semple expressed the hope that the construction of the aerodrome would be commenced very soon. Mr Semple, who is paying a short visit to the city, said that a list of aerodrome construction work had been submitted to the Treasury, but an understanding was needed about the financing of the undertakings--what the various local bodies would be prepared to do and what the Government would pay. In addition there was the question of the Government’s right to use these aero* dromes.

“We may want to use these aerodromes at any time,” he said, "and we jnust have an understanding about our right to use these grounds if the need arises. Air defence must be our first line. There is no question of that; and we may have to use it without great loss of time in view of the situation in Europe at present. We want to have freedom of access to these grounds, but I do not anticipate any great trouble about obtaining such an agree-, ment” The Minister added that there was some trouble about completing the financial arrangements for projected aerodromes. It was just a question of how much the Government should find and how much the local bodies should contribute, and that matter would have to be settled. He was particularly anxious to go on with aerodrome construction, because it was esseatiil to have these and emergency landing grounds. The Government bad invited sn expert from England to advise it about aviation and defence generally. This expert would arrive soon, t and would, among other things, advise the Government about all types of aeroplanes. The Minister said he wanted to expedite the construction of aerodromes so that they would be ready for any machines that might be purchased. "I propose to discuss the construetion of the city airport with the Mayor," he said, “and I hope that the work will be commenced soon."