AIRPORT AT MANGERE

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28958, 28 July 1959, Page 12

AIRPORT AT MANGERE

Works Minister On Finance

(New Zealand Press Association! AUCKLAND, July 27.

The Minister of Works (Mr Watt) thinks that the new Mangere airport can be financed on the basis of the user paying for it.

Neither he nor the Government, he said in Auckland today, expected complete unanimity among local bodies on the airport proposal, but they did expect some designated authority to accept the responsibility of finding Auckland’s share of the cost. Mr Watt also said that major repairs to the runways at Whenuapai would be necessary at some future date, but unless the rate of deterioration became much more rapid than at present they could be postponed until after the opening of Mangere. The Minister was not prepared to amplify his statement that the user could pay for Mangere, and would not comment on a suggestion that it could mean increased charges to airways companies and a rise in air fares. But he could see no reason for any delay in establishing a local authority to sign an agreement with the Government guaranteeing Auckland’s share of the necessary finance. “I think it can be done,” he said “The whole construction of the airport depends on it. Work cannot begin until the authority is appointed.” “Immediately agreement is reached among the local bodies the matter of starting construction work will be placed before the Government,” Mr Watt said. “I'll guarantee to do that. If an authority is appointed within the next month or two to accept the financial responsibility, physical work could begin at Mangere before the end of the coming summer.”