REQUEST AGAIN DECLINED

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 225, 21 June 1939, Page 10

REQUEST AGAIN DECLINED

Wellington As FlyingBoat Base INFORMATION NOT TO BE GIVEN Minister Replies To The Chamber Of Commerce Regret that he could not comply with its request to supply either the Wellington Chamber of Commerce or the Wellington Harbour Board “with full particulars of the requirements of a serviceable and adequate base’ for the trans.tasman flying-boat" service on Port Nicholson . was expressed by the Minister in Charge of Aviation, Mr. Jones, in a letter received bv the council of the chamber of commerce at its meeting last night. The Prime Minister, Mr. Savage, in reply to a request from the chamber, advised that he was agreeable to receiving a deputation on the subject on Thursday morning.

Mr. Jones wrote:— “I have to thank you for your courtesy In referring to me a copy of your letter to the Prime Minister concerning the provision of facilities necessary for the adequate accommodation for flying-boats to be used on the transtasntan service. In your letter you state that you understand that ‘although requests have been made for details as to these requirements no reply has been made.’ No Large Expenditure. “This statement is incorrect, as in my letter to the secretary of the Wellington Harbour Board of February 17 it was stated: ‘Regarding facilities for the operation of flying-boat services, it is felt that authoritative advice cannot be given until the results of further experience throughout the world are available and that it would be premature to consider any large expenditure at Wellington at the moment.’ “I appreciate the fact that your chamber and the Wellington Harbour Board are anxious to secure the recognition of Wellington as an alighting area for flying-boats on the transtasman service. I regret, however, that I cannot comply with your request to supply either your chamber or the Wellington Harbour Board ‘with full par ticulars of all the requirements of a serviceable and adequate base.’. “For your information I wish to add that the minimum facilities consistent with safety are being provided at Auckland, and the development of this base will be proceeded with as experience in other parts of the world shows additional requirements to be necessary. Committee’s Report. "I uni particularly concerned to ensure that alighting areas are safe, and in this connexion you are aware of the fact that (he special committee set up to advise the Government on the suitability of Wellington harbour for the operation of' flying-boats stated, at the conclusion of its report: “To avoid unnecessary risks, especially during the inaugural stage of the new flying-boat service, the committee considers that it would be unwise at present to attempt the regular operation of flyingboats from Wellington harbour.’ “The Prime Minister lias asked me to say that he concurs in the above reply.” Mr. M. M. F. Luckie: The letter does nothing but repeat and admit that the Government lias declined to give the information to Wellington. It has given (lie information to Auckland. On the motion of the president. Captain S. Holm, a sub-committee was set up to wait, along with representatives of (lie city council and the harbour board, on the Prime Minister on Thursday.