AIRWAYS PETITION

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19100, 22 August 1936, Page 14

AIRWAYS PETITION

<s> COMMENT ON REPORT EX-BOARD MEMBER'S VIEW •(Per Press Association.) AUCKLAND,, last night. The published report of the proceedings before the Parliamentary Petitions Committee in Wellington on Thursday in connection with the petition of New Zealand Airways, Limited, was commented upon by Mr. Lisle Alderton, Auckland. Mr. Alderton, "who was a member ol the late Transport Co-ordination Hoard during the whole period of its existence, queried the reported statement of Mr. A. J. Conway that Mr. Trevor S. Withers, Auckland, had submitted evidence to the board regarding the financial arrangements of Great Pacific Airways and that this evidence was subsequently found In be incorrect. In dealing with applications for aircraft licenses, said Mr. Alderton. ine board was hound by law and in the interests of public safely to ensure thai licenses were granted only to companies or proposed companies the finances of which were definitely assured. In this connection Mr. Withers advised the board that be had underwritten the capital for the Great Pacific Airways to the extent of £60,000. The truth' of this statement was carefully investigated by the board, which satisfied itself as to its correctness. T have no knowledge of Mr. Withers having misled the board in connection with this matter.'" he said, "and I feel quite confident that Mr. Conway, the former secretary to the board, has been misreported in the Wellington message referred to. This appears probable also as he is erroneously described in that message as being the Controller of Civil Aviation, whereas he is an officer of the Transport Department." pensive business sending men overseas. However, contact would*be kept, as it was absolutely necessary to do so. He said the Government aimed at extending scientific work, as that was necessary if New Zealand was to keep up with the work that was done in the Old Country and in Australia. Mr. W. J. Poison (Nat., Stratford) said he hoped the work of the department would be pushed on as rapidly as possible. Mr. W. A. Bodkin (Nat.. Otago) urged that the whole of the goldmining area of Central Otago should bo geophvsieallv surveyed to assist prospectors. Progress was reported and the House rose.