TRUNK AIR ROUTE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22193, 21 August 1935, Page 14

TRUNK AIR ROUTE

STOP AT PALMEESTON BOARD'S DECISION RESERVED PACIFIC COMPANY'S POSITION QUESTIONS BY CHAIRMAN [by telegraph —OWN correspondent] WELLINGTON. Tuesday Decision was reserved by the Transport Co-ordination Board to-day on the application of Great Pacific Airways, Limited, to have Palmerston North included on its trunk air routo from Auckland to Dunedin.

Sir Stephen Allen, chairman of the board, closely questioned Mr. Trevor S. Withers, organiser of the company, as to why there had not been greater progress toward incorporation and operation. Mr. Withers enlarged upon the difficulties which arose through the fact that nearly all the aircraft-manu-facturing companies in England were too busy filling orders for the R.A.F. to attend to the demand for commercial machines in New Zealand. Union Airways informed the board that it would be agreeable to Groat Pacific Airways having the right to pick up north-bound and set down south-bound passengers to Palmerston North. Mr. H. F. O'Leary, K.C., appeared for Great Pacific Airways, and Mr. G. G. G. Watson for Union Airways, which opposed the application. Mr. J. O'Shea represented the Wellington City Council. The members of the board are Sir Stephen Allen, Mr. H. B. S. Johnstone and Mr. L. W. Alderton. Extension to Palmerston

Mr. C. G. White, for Union Airways, said in cross-examination that his company would extend its service from Palmerston North to Auckland later if this were considered desirable, and if it were found that Great Pacific Airways could not make the route pay without calling at Palmerston North. He did not expect that large machines would be used if such extensions were made. To Mr. O'Shea he said the strongest holder in Union Airways and Cook Strait Airways was the Union Company. He did not think, however, that the protection of sea services entered into the consideration of the company's directors. It was merely the natural development of the company's transport services. Mr. O'Shea: If you lost 24 passengers a day for 312 days a year from your steamer service to your air service that would amount to many thousands a year. Mr. White denied that his company was trying to avoid serving Wellington by casting criticism at the Rongotai aerodrome. « " A Whispering Campaign " "We have been advised definitely by pilots who have been working" the aerodrome that it cannot be worked regularly with 12-seater machines," he said. "All this is part of a whispering campaign against us, whereas Ave have said in writing wo are prepared to use the ground when we are advised by experts that it is safe. We are anxious to use the ground when it is ready. The number of passengers the aeroplanes will take from the ferry steamers, even with full loads, will not matter." Mr. O'Shea: If Palmerston North is cut out of Great Pacific Airways Wellington will be cut out. Wellington people would have to travel to Palmerston North via Blenheim. The only service connecting with Palmerston North will bo bv Cook Strait. Mr. White: Until such time as it is safe to use Rongotai with air liners on the time-table it will be the only service. Mr. O'Shea remarked that it appeared that Great Pacific Airways would call at nine points and would require a subsidy of £25,000 a year, and Union Airways would touch four centres and need a subsidy of £15,000.

Mr. White said details of the subsidy had not been considered yet. Offer Not Acceptable

Tlr. Trevor S. Withers gave lengthy evidence for Great Pacific Airways. He said Palmerston North hnd been a calling place on his proposed route since it had teen decided to improve the aerodrome at Palmerston North. The suggestion now made that Union Airways would allow Great Pacific Airways to set clown south-bound and pick up north-bound passengers at Palmerston North would not meet the wishes of his company, because it would have the effect of preventing the taking of Dunedin, Chrisrchnrch, Timaru and Wellington passengers to Palmerston North. This would make a * considerable difference to the pay load of hie company. The company would also be unable to take aboard passengers for th« South Island at Palmerston North. Groat Pacific Airways had not ordered its machines and did not at present have the authority to use Rongotai. To Sir Stephen Allen, who asked how far the construction of the company had progressed, witness said Aviation Development, Limited, was the development company to inaugurate Great Pacific Airways, Limited. Until it was possible to buy aircraft incorporation could not be proceeded with. Mr. E. T. Fisk had visited England to make investigations. Comment by Chairman Sir Stephen Alien: It surprises me that even though four months have passed since we gave a licence you hare not taken steps for incorporation. Mr. Withers said that the delay was mainly due to the difficulty of having aeroplanes supplied from England through most factories being engaged with machines for the R.A.F. Sir Stephen Allen: Your company should give the board some evidenco that you are doing something to inaugurate your service. Other companies you know have bought their machines. You seem to suggest that the board is taking up a hostile attitude to you. Is it; not the case that you do not take the board into your confidence and let us know your difficulties? You realise that it would be much more satisfactory to us if you took some steps to form your company. To Mr. Alderton Mr. Withers said that very probably a request for a subsidy would be made to the Government before the company was incorporated. Sir Stephen Allen asked if the formation of the company depended on the granting of the subsidy. Mr. Withers said the operation of the company probably would. Mr. O'Loary submitted that if any protection should be given it should be to the company operating a trunk service intended primarily for mails. The public demand throughout the country was that Palmerston North should he the calling place for Great Pacific Airways as was shown by evidence and letters from local bodies all over New Zealand.