SUPPORT FOR HAREWOOD

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27042, 29 March 1949, Page 4

SUPPORT FOR HAREWOOD

Site for International Aerodrome CITY COUNCIL’S DECISION A move to support the development of Harewood as an international airport was made by the City Council last night. The council received a deputation from members of the OtagoSouthland Manufacturers’ Association on the subject, and after hearing submissions by Messrs H. L. Longbottom and J. F. Poole, it carried a motion strongly supporting the association in its efforts to have a direct air service between Australia and Harewood established. The motion suggested that other local bodies might support the council’s move.

The urgent necessity for the establishment of an overseas air terminal at Harewood owing to the increase in trans-Tasman traffic was stressed by Mr Longbottom. He thought that the question should be approached from the national viewpoint. It was of importance not only to the South Island, but to the Dominion as a whole. Mr Longbottom quoted the report by Sir Frederick Tymms as his authority for saying that no other site but Harewood was suitable for an international airport. The proximity of Wigram was the only adverse factor, but Wigram could be transferred to Norwood He emphasised that the industrial men of the South Island had to have an opportunity to keep abreast of current developments. Australia was now going ahead equally as fast as other countries, and quite a ready access to the Commonwealth should be provided. The speaker also pointed out the benefits to the South Island that would arise from the provision of direct air facilities for tourists from Australia. He said that Melbourne and Sydney alone had a tourist potential of 3,000,000 persons. With proper facilities at Harewood. there would be no lack of travellers. He pointed out that there were 20 planes daily each wav between Sydney and Melbourne. “With all the local bodies in the South Island behind the Harewood project, the Government must give a"thority for the development of the aerodrome as an international terminal t© proceed. The first step is to see that the Government is in earnest in its statements that it favours Harewood,” Mr Longbottom continued. “It now has no excuse for delay. Labour and materials would be the only things militating against an early start.” Mr J. F. Poole, who was associated in the request for support from the council, said that an international aerodrome in the South Island was a necessity. He thought that it was advisable for such an aerodrome to be situated on the inland main trunk air route. This would eliminate the necessity for a multiplicity of navigation aids. Mistakes had been made in the past over ports for overseas ships. Some were a success, others were not. He would not like to see mistakes made over an international airport because of parochialism. Cr L. M. Wright said that it was obvious that the South Island must have a direct overseas terminal, and as quickly as possible. The South Island had “Nature’s sample basket” to offer tourists, and the South Island should ensure that it was not neglected from the point of view of national expenditure. The possibility of Mangere or Pukarangaha being used as an overseas terminal was now being discussed in the North Island. He moved that the council should support the deputation’s efforts. Cr T. K. S. Sidey said that the South Island had a big industrial potential, whereas in the North Island the end of expansion was now in sight. Cr Barr said he thought that the South Island should show a united front on the subject of Harewood. Cr E. J. Anderson said that Harewood would provide an air liaison with Australia for the defence of the South Pacific. “It is not right that the people of Dunedin should have to go to Auckland to get a flying boat to Australia when Harewood is suitable," said the Mayor, Sir Donald Cameron