AIR TRUNK ROUTE

Taranaki Daily News, 19 February 1935, Page 7

AIR TRUNK ROUTE

TARANAKI’S INCLUSION WISH OF NEW PLYMOUTH BOROUGH COUNCIL VIEWS IMPORTANCE OF MATTER The New Plymouth Borough Council last night unanimously approved the suggestion made by the Airport Board and the Taranaki Chamber of Commerce that the Transport Co-ordination Board should be approached in protest against the granting of a license for a trunk aerial service to operate from Palmerston North to Dunedin. A deputation comprising Messrs. A. F. Sandford. S. E. Neilson and L. M. Moss waited on the council to put the case forward. Mr. Sandford explained that support of the council was sought in the proposal to make personal representations to the board at its sitting on March 6. Mr. S. E. Nielson said it was a matter of national importance to see that the first aerial trunk service to operate in New Zealand was established on the right lines. ’ It was felt that all New Zealand should be served •by a service carrying mails, express goods and passengers and that the question of auxiliary defence was also involved. He read a letter addressed to the Hon. J. G. Coates as Minister of Transport in which it was stated that the airport board viewed with genuine alarm and disappointment the board’s stated opinion that the Palmerston North-Dunedin route was to be commended. The board lodged a strong protest and expressed the hope that the Government would favour the establishment of a national air service such as would benefit the whole Dominion, particularly making available a fast means of transport to the whole of the people of the districts from Auckland to Invercargill. UNTHINKABLE POSITION. It was unthinkable, stated the letter, that a national trunk route could be granted which would use only one aerodrome in tlie North Island, ignoring other populous towns and centres and withholding the direct benefits of the service from Taranaki and. Auckland, districts which covered approximately one-third of the area of the Dominion and contained approximately one third of the population. Further, it was understood that the Government had some time ago adopted a scheme for the development of a chain of aerodromes and landing grounds throughout New Zealand as a means of auxiliary defence and to meet the position when commercial air services were established. Distribution of mails would have a large bearing on the question of a trunk service. There was also the question of distribution of air- mails from the point of entry from Australia to be considered. It was understood that plans were already forward for a transTasman service and later a Pacific service to and from Vancouver through the city of Auckland. It was hoped that the policy of the Government would be to take a helpful and active attitude in the development of commercial aviation in New Zealand, instead of restricting the services to a small area. The letter was accompanied by clippings of leading articles from the Taranaki and Auckland Press. WELFARE OF DISTRICT. Mr. L. M.-Moss apologised for the absence from the deputation of Mr. W. C. Weston. He emphasised that no particular business interest was behind the representations and that the sole desire of the board and the Taranaki Chamber of Commerce was the welfare of the district and of Dominion aviation. The two-day trip from Auckland and Taranaki to the proposed Palmerston North terminal would minimise the benefits of the service for Taranaki and Auckland altogether. There was a growing business connection between the South Island and Taranaki. He knew of several recent instances in which a rapid service would have been of value. Personally he would make the trip south more frequently if there was a quick means of transport.

“What is the idea of the service terminating at Palmerston North?” inquired a member of the council. Mr. Nielson said that he thought that question was neatly answered by - a cartoon recently published in an Auckland newspaper depicting a large aeroplane being towed behind a “puffing Billy.” He was certain that if the Palmerston North route was adopted the interests of commercial aviation in New Zealand would definitely not be well served. In response to other questions Mr.. Nielson explained that most local bodies of importance in Auckland were solidly behind the protest, he believed that other Taranaki towns would be also, and that Whangarei and Wanganui were in the main of the same opinion. He wished to know if the suggestion that Messrs. Weston and Moss should put the case before the Transport Board met with the council’s approval. On the retirement of the deputation the council briefly discussed the matter, all members agreeing that it would be unwise for the opportunity of protest to be let slip. The Mayor said that the matter was obviously one of . great importance to the town and district and that he thought that it would be a good idea if the borough had direct representation when the protest was lodged. It was decided that he and Cr. Stainton should endeavour to make the trip to Wellington and wait on the board with the other delegates after they had attended the hospital boards’ conference in March at Napier.