"Money Spent On Ports Needed For Airport”

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28753, 26 November 1958, Page 5

"Money Spent On Ports Needed For Airport”

(Aco? Zealand Press Association)

AUCKLAND, November 25. The New Zealand Government’s action in extending the smaller seaports instead of giving all-out concentration on building an international airport at Auckland was quite illogical, said Air Chief Marshal Sir Keith Park on his return to Auckland from Sydney in the Wanganella today. “We do not set ourselves a high standard for airports with the excuse that we are only a small country.” he said. “At the [same time we pride ourselves ! that our seaports are as good as any in North America. “Why set a high standard for one and not the other?” he asked. “Why do we spend money on the small, not so vital ports at Tauranga, Whangarci. and Opua?” Not only was it taking money away from the Develop-

ment of the larger ports, but it was also hampering further the building of an airport. The bulk of passengers throughout the world now travelled by air. No airport at Auckland would mean that New Zealand would be by-passed by the larger jets. Christchurch would have a good airport in the near future, but all passengers for Auckland would have to travel from there | by internal airways. That would; ; mean people would just not 1 icome, said Sir Keith Park. | ! j l 1 | 1