LAND PLANES FOR TASMAN SERVICE ADVOCATED

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22707, 4 August 1948, Page 3

LAND PLANES FOR TASMAN SERVICE ADVOCATED

(I\R.) WELLINGTON, Auff. 4The comparative merits of flyingboats and land planes for the Tasman service and the establishment of an overseas air terminal in the South Island were two questions asked during the debate on the Civil Aviation Bill in the House of representatives last night. Opposition members had suggested the use of land planes on the service, but the only suitable land planes at present would have to be purchased from the United States, said Mr. W. W. Freer (Govt., Mt. Albert). Land planes too would involve transport to and from the aerodrome of 100 people a day and an extra cost of £33,000 a year. Whcnuapai Inadequate Whenuapai did not measure up to international standards and it would cost £400,000 to improve it. Mechanics Bay, on the other hand, was handy to the city and could be equipped to cater for Solents for only £12,000. It had been suggested that land planes were faster, but from hotel to hotel in Auckland and Sydney the flying-boat service was quicker. Of the air passengers to Australia 84.6 per cent came from the North Island—s2.B per cent from Auckland and 31.8 per cent from Wellington. Let a service to the South Island be established as soon as possible, he said, but let Tasman Empire Airways operate it. If another company were allowed to come in, both companies would be compelled to run at a loss. For one service on both routes, however, there would be one administration and one overhead.

The Opposition was seeking to throw a company which had pioneered the trans-Tasman services to the wolves. Another company could not possibly give better service, but by jeopardising the economic future of Tasman Empire Airways would throw a burden on the taxpayers. Not Suitable For Job

That Sandringham aircraft were not suitable for the job had been amply shown since December 2, said Mr. J. K. McAlpine (Oppos., Selwyn). Since their four months of idleness and modifications they had again failed and, in his opinion, were noiv operating with considerable risk.

An order had been placed for Solents which were at present being grounded throughout the world. There had been insufficient investigation into the type records. Though £350,000 had already been spent, it would probably be a great deal cheaper to postpone the order before spending £1,500,000. Flying-boats were being replaced by land aircraft throughout the world.

Much money could be earned, said Mr. McAlpine, by bringing tourists from Australia over an alternative route to the South Island. There were many Australians who wanted to see the scenic beauties of the South Island, but who would not do so because it meant travelling first to Sydney, then to Auckland, and then down south. Another important argument in favour of a Melbourne-South Island service was the fact that, as had been stated, the Tasman service had already booked up 3000 flights beyond its capacity. American Planes Favoured Suitable American aircraft —Constellations and Skymasters—could be bought for use on the southern route, continued Mr. McAlpine.

The Minister of Defence, Mr. F. Jones: That means dollars —it doesn’t support Britain. Mr. McAlpine: It also has a countereffect that it will bring travellers to New Zealand more rapidly than at pre. sent, and I think we could recoup the dollars.

Supporting Harewood as the second New Zealand terminal, Mr. McAlpine said it was nearest to the greatest centre of population and feeder terminals in the South Island, it was a first-class site, had good weather, and was advocated by others. Disappointment at the manner in which Timaru had been left out of the aviation picture was expressed by Mr. C. Carr (Govt., Timaru), who stressed the possibilities of a level site as a first-class airport. The establishment of an international airport at Harewood would result in lopsided development, he said.