CHAMBER SEEKS U.S. FLIGHTS

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32702, 3 September 1971, Page 24

CHAMBER SEEKS U.S. FLIGHTS

Supbort for the promotion of a flight between Christchurch and the west coast of the United States was given by the Canterbury Chamber of Commerce this week.

The chairman of the air services cojiimittee (Mr J. Roysmith) said that such a flight shoul&be planned without <delay. I, The committee well understood the problems which ’[included a traffic demand to support a regular service,:, the additional mileage involved in a flight between the United States and Melbourne by way of Christchurcm and the economic probieins caused by infrequent fliafeits such as one a week. The 1974J1 Commonwealth Games musts cause an additional demand for flights in andi out of Christchurch in all directions and would therefore b« a suitable time for beginning; such a service, said Mr Rog smith. As comnwrcial selling reservations made as much as 11 months in advance an indication of plans for the service should be announced as rarly as possible. Mr RoySinith said he would be iii. Australia later this month and he would look into the matter further. He suggested that on his return the manage!) of Air New Zealand be asfled to meet the chamber acid discuss the matter. Payroll tax A motion!fct>ut by Mr J. M. Tocker thtat the chamber should writer to the Associated Chambers of Commerce opposing an t - proposal to ask the Minister’ of Finance to repeal the payroll tax was lost on voices. Some whq; supported the motion said/the payroll tax was a source of revenue, and if it was income would havei! to be found somewhere else. Also the tax was designed to promote efficiency in labour. Opponents of the motion

said most members did not like extra taxes and that the chamber would be falling in its duty if the motion was carried.

A transport committee report recommending that the chamber should not concern itself with the widening of the Main North Road was accepted. However, it was agreed that an approach should be made to the Government to ensure that funds acquired from taxation of motorists should be placed fully under the control of the National Roads Board.