THE AERODROME.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVI, Issue 311, 30 November 1936, Page 2

THE AERODROME.

(To the Editr.) Sir, —Re the above, one is led to believe or to infer if tfiis loan is not carried Palmerston North will not be the leading aerodrome of New Zealand. That is already decided from its central position, but this country with its small population cannot hope to make it pay under municipal control. Why all this camouflage about Wellington and Timarti going to spend so much? Any person knowing the views of the Wellington people on this extra £IOO,OOO, would be wise to leave that matter alone ; also Timaru. The Hawera Council turned the proposition down with very strong emphasis. It is common knowledge that the Government is to acquire six aerodromes in New Zealand, and Palmerston North stands in the No- 1 position. I have been going over a list of over 200 aerodromes, mostly municipal, in Australia, New Zealand, etc., and they make sorry reading. If our local business associations were to devote their time and energies to inducing firms from other parts to start industries here, that would be of the greatest importance to the advancement of the city, which is the greatest distributing centre in the Dominion. Chambers of Commerce in other places help in many ways in this manner by offering free land for five or 10 years, and councils help with low rates until the industries are established. The sum of £20,000 spent in this way would be of real benefit to this city, helping all round. There is no constructive enterprise in adding to the costs of ratepayers. In your issue of Saturday last, “Ratepayer No. 1” simply gives us an account jof Union Airways’ business. “Civic Pride” got in a nice little advertisement for New Plymouth, which lias lost its position as a leading airport ; and then he got lost in the “mists of the mount.” This writer has as much interest in seeing Palmerston North advance on proper lines as anyone here. I have been absent from New Zealand many times, and will be again. I have brought our city under the notice of leading newspaper offices in London and other countries; but I was always stumped with the question : “Apart from dairying, what other industries are your people engaged in?” I earnestly hope I will he able to supply that answer at some future date. —I am etc., J. M. O’HAGAN, Princess Street, Palmerston North.