REGARDED AS THREAT

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21973, 23 December 1936, Page 7

REGARDED AS THREAT

CLAUSE IN MINISTER’S LETTER COUNCIL ASKS MR SEMPLE TO RETRACT (I’IUIKS ASSOCIATION I'KI.K.'iRAM.) HAW<2RA. December 22. Exception is taken by the Hawera Borough Council to the statement mad» by the Minister for Public Works (the Hon. R. Semple), who will be asked to retract from n letter, the following paragraph; “Should the council be unable to see its way clear to make the contribution asked for i leel I shall be bound to consider the council’s attitude at any lime in the future, when it may be seeking Gov eminent assistance in this or any other direction.”

The Minister’s letter was in reply to u statement by the council that it would contribute to the extent oi' the £SO a Vear allowed by the act, tor the development of the new Ha worn aerodrome, provided HaWera *vas made a compulsory stopping place tor any feeder air service, or an “on request’’ slop for any trunk service which might be established. The council’s reason tur roqulruig this assurance was that if Hawera Were not included as a scheduled stopping place the aerodrome could not be regarded as a public facility, to winch the ratepayers, through the council, should be asked to contribute.

Mr Semple held that the aerodrome was a public facility, as it could be Used for taxi purposes and itinerant Hying. The council agreed to make a grant, but expressed the opinion that the paragraph referred to was m the nature of a threat. It was unanimously decided to ask Mr Semple to withdraw it.