The Press SATURDAY, MAY 7, 1949. International Air Service

Press, Volume LXXXV, Issue 25797, 7 May 1949, Page 6

The Press SATURDAY, MAY 7, 1949. International Air Service

After more than two years’ agitation South Island interests are still waiting for the Government to say whether there will be another air service to Australia, and whether Harewood aerodrome will be developed as an international terminal. Members of the Canterbury Progress League and the Canterbury Chamber of Commerce who discussed these questions at meetings this week were naturally indignant at the Government’s continued failure to make a plain statement of its intentions, but some comment, particularly that relating to a pri-vately-operated service and development of Harewood without State aid, did not take account of the facts about another Tasman service and an international airport. The Minister in charge of the Air Department (Mr F. Jones) has frequently been vague and evasive about the Government’s plans, and the Prime Minister (Mr P. Fraser) has, until recently, had nothing really substantial to say. The Government has procrastinated; but it has at last reached the stage of considering Harewood as an international airport. Early in March Mr Fraser told Mr J. K. McAlpine, M.P., that the Government was preparing plans and taking out estimates for making it an international airport. Although he was less encouraging last month when he told the Chamber of Commerce that there could be no decision until the Aerodromes Committee’s report had been received and considered, his reply indicated that the efforts of the Harewood Overseas Air Terminal Committee and other bodies interested have at last had some effect. Since the Government is actually considering an international airport for the South Island, it is unprofitable for the Progress League and the Chamber of Commerce to discuss questions of a privately operated air service and private development of Harewood. As its acting general manager told the Progress League in a letter on Wednesday evening, Australian National Airways would be prepared to operate a service between Melbourne and Harewood as soon as the Australian and New Zealand Governments gave permission. But Mr Walsh said also that the Australian Government would not be favourable to such a service. It is well known that the New Zealand Government is unwilling to consider a privartely operated Tasman service in opposition to the present State owned service. What is not so well known, however, is that the two Governments agreed in the Canberra Agreement of 1944 to the operation of air services on inter national routes by an international air transport authority or, failing that, by national (governmental) authorities. Therefore it is fruitless to talk about a privately operated service when the Governments concerned are co>nmitted to an international or State controlled operator. Even more unprofitable is the suggestion at the Chamber of Commerce meeting that Harewood might be developed by the citizens of Christchurch without Goverhment help. It is most unlikely that the Government or the ratepayers would approve a loan large enough to meet the cost. Second, the citizens of Christchurch would have to bear a financial burden which should be shared by the rest of the South Island. Finally, there is no guarantee that municipal development of Harewood, even if authorised, would hasten the start of a South Island-Australia air service. At this stage it is better for the Air Terminal Committee and other bodies interested to keep On asking the Government as strongly as they can for an early and definite decision. Since a decision depends first on the Aerodromes Committee, which was appointed in September, 1947, the Government should also be asked to expedite the committee’s report.