RUNWAY FOR JETS

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29744, 10 February 1962, Page 10

RUNWAY FOR JETS

Minister To Hear Views

The Minister in charge of Civil Aviation (Mr McAlpine) has invited the chairman of the City Council’s finance committee (Cr. H. P. Smith), the chairman of the airport committee (Cr. A. R. Guthrey) and the airport manager (Mr A. I. R. Jamieson) to meet him on Tuesday, February 20, to discuss the development of Christchurch airport to full jet standards. “As Cr. Smith has been invited. it would appear that the Minister is seriously interested in our proposal that the City Council finance the runway extension until such time as the Government is able to proceed.” said Cr Guthrey last evening. “Mr McAlpine previously assured us that Christchurch will eventually be fully developed to jet standards, and as a shortage of finance is the main obstacle at the present time I am certain the Minister has welcomed our gesture.” Cr. Guthrey’s proposal, which has the backing of the airport committee and is assured of the council's support, is that the council should finance the runway extensions to take pure jets and do the work immediately and that the Government, as a 50-50 partner of the council in the airport, should meet its shares when the demand for Government expenditure is easier.

It has been suggested that the money could be found from the proceeds of the sale of the council's shares in the Christchurch Milk Company, obviating a loan or rate levy.