STATE URGED TO IMPROVE AIRFIELDS IN NEW ZEALAND

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22665, 16 June 1948, Page 6

STATE URGED TO IMPROVE AIRFIELDS IN NEW ZEALAND

(P.A.) WELLINGTON, June 15. The necessity for a prompt announcement of the Government’s policy regarding aerodrome construction was stressed in a resolution passed at a meeting of the council of the New Zealand Manufacturers’ Federation. “The failure to provide adequate facilities and equipment for internal and overseas services is,” the federation states, “severely retarding the development of air travel and particularly prejudicing the South Island.”

The following resolutions are being forwarded to the Government:— “The federation considers that the time has come when the provision of air services to Australia from Wellington and/or Christchurch and Dunedin should be examined with a view to ascertaining whether there is sufficient traffic offering to justify at least a partial service from these cities. The expense and delays imposed on travellers from the south by the concentration of the trans-Tasman service on Auckland are a severe handicap which ought to be removed.” The council also resolved to ask the Government to announce its policy regarding aerodrome construction. It held that airfields suitable for both overseas and internal services, particularly in the South Island, should be constructed as soon as the necessary supplies and equipment are available, the necessary plans to be drawn up immediately. The meeting also expressed concern over the delay in proceeding with the extension of Rongotai airport