Govt. Attitude To Airport Criticised

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29784, 29 March 1962, Page 17

Govt. Attitude To Airport Criticised

Strong protests at the Government’s lack of action over the extension of the runways at Christchurch airport were made by members of the Canterbury Progress League last evening.

The league decided to inform the Government that it believed by its actions that it did not intend to do anything about Harewood until 1961, when Mangere would be in operation. Discussion arose from a letter from Mr S. B. Barltrop, a professional engineer, inviting the league to join in a petition of protest to the Prime Minister over the lack of provision for jet aircraft at the airport. A copy of Mr Barltrop's suggested petition was read to the meeting, A covering letter from Mr Barltrop, giving arguments supporting the development of the airport, was also read to the meeting. Mr Barltrop quoted Sir Leonard Wright, a former Mayor of Dunedin, as saying: “Extension of Harewood airport to handle jets is vital to the whole country, and not just to Christchurch or the South Island. Every person in New Zealand should support this being done immediately," “We should give this our whole-hearted support," said Mr E. T. Beaven. “It’s very good that we have a few enthusiasts who take the bit in their teeth and go to town on these things.” Mr B. J. Drake felt toat the league should not cut across the activities of the Christ church City Council. It should work closely in conjunction with it. The feelings of the council, and the Chamber of Commerce, might be. sounded out.

Mr H. E. Radley said he protested at the procrastina tion of the Government in not replying to the city council’s offer to extend the runways at the airport. There is a whole lot of blocking going on in Wellington.

A voice: They have a good half-back there somewhere. He won't let the ball out. Mr Drake moved that the league express agreement with the objections of Mr Barltrop, but inform him thrtt it prefer to continue to work in conjunction with the city council on the matter. Mr Radley seconded. The motion was carried without dissent.

Mr Radley then said he would like the league to express “in the strongest terms” its disappointment at the failure of the Governmen* to accept the city council’s offer to extend the airport runways.

“It seems the only way for us to get notice is to get 500 South Islanders to go to Wellington with banners,” said Mr Radley. “Then we might get somewhere.” Mr Radley's motion, expressing the league’s disap pointment at the Government’s lack of action, was carried without dissent.

It was then suggested that the statement be added “that the league was led to believe by the action of toe Government that it intended to d) nothing about Christchurch airport until Mangere was in operation in 1964.”

Supporting this suggestion, Mr R. C. Neville said he was “frantically disappointed” at the attitude of the Government, and he was sure the same feeling was spreading throughout the South Island. Mr Radley said there had been no change in Government policy towards Harewood under three governments. The last three Ministers oi Civil Aviation—Mr Mathison, Mr Shand, and Mr McAlpine—had all been South Islanders. Government policy was obviously “departmental matter,” and the department had been able to persuade the Ministers accordingly. “They have been leaning over backwards in their efforts to be fair, and we are suffering from it,” Mr Radley said. "Short of bloodshed, we won’t get anywhere. I think we should start an O.A.S. down here.”

A voice: If you want a few arms, I’ve got them! After further brief discussion, the motion to add the statement about Mangere to Mr Radley’s motion of protest was carried.