UNITY IN AIR CONTROL

Evening Post, Volume CXX, Issue 141, 11 December 1935, Page 10

UNITY IN AIR CONTROL

Divided control has always been recognised as a defect in the administration of business or any enterprise in active operation, and the muddle over aviation in New Zealand, with its multifarious departmental and other authorities, has become a classic instance of the resultant evils. This has been pointed out from time to time in "The Post," and we are glad to note that business men in the city are in full agreement that the management of aviation in this country should be under one responsible head. At a meeting of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce last night it was unanimously decided to request the Associated Chambers of Commerce to adopt the proposal for the establishment of an Air Ministry. The case was well put by the chairman (Mr. M. G. C. McCaul), who stated that it was not suggested that the duties of Air Minister should be a fulltime job, but that the Minister holding the portfolio should be in supreme control of all matters in connection with aviation in New Zealand. Under the Minister would be the head of that branch of the Defence Department in charge of military aviation, the aero clubs, and the _ Transport Co-ordination Board in its dealings 'with air services. Under one head, as Mr. McCaul pointed out, it would be possible to secure real co-ordination and effect tive control of all branches of air services in New Zealand. We have already expressed the view that the establishment of an Air Ministry would not necessarily involve any great extra expense, while the enhancement of efficiency in the running of air services and the greater assurance of the maintenance of standards of public safety through the proper equipment of aerodromes would amply justify the unification of control.