Palmerston North as Air Port

Manawatu Times, Volume 60, Issue 84, 10 April 1935, Page 8

Palmerston North as Air Port

DISPELLING AUCKLAND’S FEARS

In connection with the proposed air service with Palmerston North as its northern terminus, the Union Steam Ship Company which proposes initiating the scheme, wrote to tho Palmerston North Chamber of Commerce yesterday in appreciation of the assistance offered by tho chamber. The City Council also notified that it was co-operating with the samo object in view and had appointed a special committee consisting of the Mayor and Ur. Hodgens to act in the interests of the city. The president (Air. A. J. Graham) intimated that a great deal of political influence had been brought to bear in the matter and that would probably prejudice the city’s chances of getting the terminus.

Mr. H. B. Free stated that lie had discussed tiie matter with two or three businessmen in Auckland in a friendly way. They had voiced a decided view that it was nbsurd for Auckland to bileft out. However, lie had pointed out that in the initial stages of the scheme and until the public became air-minded, it was quite reasonable to allow Palmerston North to bo the terminus. He had also pointed out that night flying was not practical and under the circumstances Palmerston North was the best starting place. Auckland people could arrive in Palmerston North. by train early in the morning, fly south and on the return catch a train in the evening. He had also explained that there was no hope of Palmerston North becoming the permanent terminus but the Auck-land-Invercargill service would be the natural outcome of the scheme. Mr. Free said ho had gone on to suggest that even Palmerston North did not think that the ultimate service would reach no further but that Auckland and New Plymouth would be part of that service with Palmerston North as a port of call. Mr. Free said his talk from that angle had allayed a certain amount of antagonism. Mr. N. M. Wallace stated that at the New Plymouth air port some 300 men were busy levelling off the ground, showing that New Plymouth people were alive to the possibilities of the service. Palmerston North should get behind all local efforts, even to business firms becoming members of the Aero Club so as to give them the benefit of that financial support. Mr. Free said surveyors were at present at work on the Milson drome.