No Plane For Islanders

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30842, 30 August 1965, Page 3

No Plane For Islanders

(N.Z. Press Association) AUCKLAND, Aug. 29. There seemed to be a misunderstanding over the transport of Cook Islanders living in New Zealand to their constitutional celebrations on the island next month, said the Prime Minister (Mr Holyoake) in a telegram to the secretary of the Cook Islands (N.Z.) Society (Mr T. A. Henry.

The Premier of the Cook Islands, Mr Albert Henry, had tried to arrange a direct plane charter with Air New Zealand, but this had not been possible because of the lack of a suitable aircraft to land on the islands. Shuttle Service

The alternative was for Air New Zealand to transport the party to Pago Pago in Samoa and then arrange a shuttle service with Polynesian Airways to transport the Cook Islanders to Rarotonga. Mr Holyoake said he had tried to obtain assistance from the R.N.Z.A.F., but because of

its previous commitments this was not possible. The New Zealand Government had not been asked to approach Air New Zealand directly over a charter, Mr Holyoake said.

He was glad that the Cook Islands (N.Z.) Society, in association with Air New Zealand, was trying to arrange charters with Qantas and other airlines, which might solve the problem. Mr T. A. Henry said today that he had received word that Qantas, because of the shortage of time and lack of crew members, was not able to free one of its planes. “However, Air New Zealand is still endeavouring to negotiate for other alternatives,” Mr Henry said. Two Offers “I also received offers from two other international airlines from which further information will not be available until Tuesday. “Regardless of the outcome of the proposed plane charter the Cook Islands celebrations will be commemorated in Auckland also, on Saturday, September 11, in the Y.M.C.A.

"Today 6000 celebration badges are travelling to the Cook Islands on the Moana Roa for distribution among school children.

“Another 2000 badges will be sent to Cook Islanders living in New Zealand.” Mr Henry, who lives in Auckland, designed the badges, which display a rare species of Cook Island bird, the Kotuku. This bird sympolises “freedom and protection."