AERIAL TRUNK SERVICE

Taranaki Daily News, 8 March 1935, Page 7

AERIAL TRUNK SERVICE

QUESTION OF TERMINUS

PALMERSTON NORTH OPPOSED.

VIEW OF WESTERN FEDERATION.

CAPITAL OF OTHER COMPANIES.

Urging that, in the event of trunk air services being licensed the services should extend from Auckland to Dunedin, the executive of the Western Federated (North Island) Flying Club, decided yesterday to support a written request from the New Plymouth Airport Board to have this carried out.

When the question of a trunk service was recently discussed by the Transport Licensing Board, the chairman (Sir Stephen Allen) suggested that Palmerston North should be the terminus. The New Plymouth Airport Board, considering the matter from the point of view of an area (including Auckland) which comprised one-third of the population of New Zealand, decided to protest against tile possible establishment of a terminus at Palmerston North and it was this resolution which the flying club ratified. Mr. A. S. Burgess, president, in a discussion on ’the resolution, said the chairman" of the Transport Board had pointedly made reference to a trunk route from Palmerston North to Dunedin. It was inconceivable that that could be the only service. The Wanganui Chamber of Commerce and the Wanganui City Council had both appointed representatives to go into the position and support the establishment of a through service from Auckland and the Wanganui Development League was also likely to assist. Representations had been made to the Wanganui and Waitotara County Councils. The Wanganui Aero Club had so far done nothing, believing it to be a matter more for commercial organisations than for aviation clubs, where interference in matters outside their common jurisdiction might result in a “back lash” from the Government. Mr. A. F. Sandford: The Transport Board would have to admit that aero clubs have some knowledge of the position, for they have paved the way.

It had been a feature of the annual report of the Western Federated Flying Club that no interest was taken in commercial aviation, said Dr. W. F. Buist. .“The Transport Board is really a railway protectionist board,” said the secretary, Mr. S. E. Nielson. The president: Undoubtedly. ELIMINATING WELLINGTON. It was proposed to eliminate Wellington from the service, said Mr. Nielson. He considered representations should be made to have the through route from Auckland to Invercargill. Mr. J. R. Franklin: It would be a great pity to restrict the services. Licensing services would have the effect of reducing insupportable competition, said Mr. W. G. Walkley. Tire road transport service licenses had enabled some at least to make a living from the road. If any service were able to start right away it should get the job.

Mr. Nielson: There are two services in the field, the Union Company, and one which I represent. The latter is one the late Mr. Charles Ulm was interested in. There would be no possibility of any service beginning before December. “I understand from a high Government official that there are only two suitable grounds,” said Mr. Burgess. “They are Wigram and Blenheim. I think you will agree, Mr. Walkley, that the service should extend to Auckland, the population centre of New Zealand.” “I understand from newspaper reports that the two companies proposing a service between Auckland and Dunedin both have no assured capital at present and that the Palmerston North-Dunedin service has capital assured,” said Mr. Walkley. ; ‘ “That is wrong,” said Mr.. Nielson. “The company I represent does not intend to issue shares to the public at all and the capital will be immediately available. We should take the broad view in the interests of aviation in New Zealand. To leave out Auckland and the west coast from the trunk service would be a short-sighted policy. Mr. Walkley: You say your capital is fixed. Is it Australian capital? Mr. Nielson: Yes.

“I don’t think that comes in,” said Mr. Burgess. “The first consideration should be a trunk service between Auckland and Invercargill. We should really be glad,” he added jocularly, “that the capital is Australian, for the service is bound to lose money for a while.” “I am in favour of New Zealand capital,” declared Mr. Walkley. “The Matson Shipping Company is a golden example of what can happen. We had a shipping company to be proud of and yet a new company is supported by the people of New Zealand.”

On the motion of the president, it was decided to support a trunk route from Auckland to Dunedin, with stops at the larger centres en route.