New Hope For Harewood

Press, Volume C, Issue 29638, 7 October 1961, Page 10

New Hope For Harewood

The Minister in charge of Civil Aviation (Mr McAlpine) did not go far towards satisfying aspirations for the Christchurch airport when he spoke at the Qantas ceremony on Wednesday. But he did offer some hope of progress by his admission that it was time to start thinking about extensions to meet the requirements of jet aircraft More important, perhaps, was his action in approving of the establishment of a duty-free shop at the terminal. The City Council should lose no time in opening. this shop, which will be a significant addition to Harewood’s unrivalled amenities, both as a convenience to New Zealanders travelling abroad and as a source of goodwill among overseas visitors. Although the shop will increase the lead of the Christchurch airport over other New Zealand airports, more than that is required if full use is to be made of Harewood. Until Christchurch is on the jet aircraft map New Zealand generally and the South Island in particular will lose valuable tourist business. The difference in speed between a jet and a propeller-driven aircraft across the Tasman is* not particularly significant What matters more is the- strong preference of travellers for the comfort and quietness of jet travel A jet service across the Tasman, even at infrequent intervals, would be worth having, but what is really needed is a jet connexion to North America, too. Resistance to a jet service

to Harewood had previously been based on doubt about the number of passengers that would use it. On Wednesday Sir Hudson Fysh, chairman of Qantas, took new ground. What deterred him was the shortage of hotel beds in and near Christchurch. There is truth in his contention, but nothing would do more to improve tourist accommodation than the prospect of a real drive to encourage tourists to come to New Zealand, as Cr. A. R. Guthrey reminded him. Already one company is planning a substantial part of Sir Hudson Fysh’s aim of 300 additional beds near Harewood. If the business is likely to be there, others will follow suit, particularly now that the licensing laws are being reformed to provide a more hospitable welcome to visitors. Sir Hudson Fysh has virtually challenged the South Island to provide accommodation for jet travellers. We hope that he is taken at his word and that Tasman Empire Airways and Qantas will stand up to it A reasonably attractive jet service linking Christchurch not only to Sydney but also to San Francisco would allow travellers from the northern hemisphere to include New Zealand on a convenient round-the-world itinerary. Cr. Guthrey has pointed out that neither the City Council nor the Government would be involved in any great expense in making the minor necessary improvements to permit the operation of such a service. The project should not be allowed to drop.