More cuts by N.A.C. likely

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 32838, 11 February 1972, Page 3

More cuts by N.A.C. likely

(New Zealand Press Association) WESTPORT, February 10. The Government had forced N.A.C. to cut uneconomic services, but, unless it reduced charges and taxes substantially, more flights would have to be dropped, the general manager of N.A.C. (Mr D. A. Patterson) said at a meeting of West Coast local bodies in Westport yesterday.

Mr Patterson was in Westport to hear submissions for the retention of the WestportHokitika service, which is to be withdrawn in June, saving the corporation $45,000 a year.

N.A.C. had been essentially a public utility when established. but the emphasis had shifted to profit-making, he said. The corporation could not run uneconomic services, pay $3 million in charges annually to the Government, and make a profit. Mr Patterson criticised Government departments for encouraging local bodies to build expensive new terminal buildings not required by N.A.C. Although many of the improvements were neither needed nor requested by the

airline, it usually had to help pay for them through much

higher rentals. | Airline dues paid to the

provided sophisticated navigational aids,! ' buildings, and staff at air- ’ ports throughout the country, ■ which were used free of; [ charge by the Air Force and other organisations, he said. 1 Mr Patterson felt it would ■ not be unreasonable to expect taxpayers to assist the airline in view of the wide bener fits that air services provided ■ for the community. I He said a service between > Westport and Hokitika, three I days a week, would be tried , from August to January, sub- ■ ject to the availability of air- , craft. The corporation was also 1 looking at the possibility of r providing a notional fare be- > tween Westport and Christ--1 church by way of Wellington, r and from Hokitika to Nelson * by way of Christchurch, Mr r Patterson said.