PROPOSED AIR TRUNK SERVICES

Manawatu Times, Volume 60, Issue 40, 18 February 1935, Page 6

PROPOSED AIR TRUNK SERVICES

Auckland Records Opposition

OVER PALMERSTON’S FAVOURED POSITION

Strong opposition to Palmerston • North being made the northern terminal of the proposed air trunk service in the Dominion was voiced at Thursday night's meeting of the Auckland City Council, states tho Auckland Star, when tlie matter was discussed following the receipt of letters from the Auckland and Taranaki Chambers of Commerce conveying resolutions which had been passed by those bodies, and which asked tho Transport Co-ordina-tion Board to hear the evidence of their representatives before a trunk air service license was issued. “This is one of the most important matters to come before tho City Council for a long time,” said the Mayor, Mr. G. W. Hutchison, in moving that the Auckland City Council express alarm at the suggestions of tho main service being between Palmerston North and Dunedin, and request the Transport Co-ordination Board to take the evidence of the council’s delegates before coming to a decision.

Mr. Hutchison said tho City Council had for a long time felt that Auckland should be an airport, and 'the interest of the council had been most active. It was realised that the time had long passed for the inauguration of an air transport service for the Dominion. Now when the service was about to bo established (he suggestion.of the. Transport Co-ordination Board was that tho main service should bo ns - far north as Palmerston North only, and not to Auckland. “I want to tell you this,” said tho Mayor: “There is no appeal from llio board’s decision, therefore it is your duty to make a protest before a decision is made by the board. I feel sure the citizens of this city would not tolerate for a moment being deprived of the benefits of an air service through the Dominion.

“1 understand one of tho points considered by the board is to avoid nignr. flying, but tho whole journey from Auckland to Invercargill can be done in daytime. Tho only other reason I can see for tho suggestion of the board is to protect tlie railways interests and a shipping company, which company, I understand, is an applicant for a license.”

Mr. A. Rosser said it was time Aucklanders asserted their rights in this matter. The suggestion to make the main service terminate at Palmerston North was ari attempt to protect the

railways. Mr. S. Takle said it was quite easy to run a daylight air service between Auckland and Invercargill.

Mr. A. J. Entrican said the City Council should record its strongest protest against the board’s suggestion.