DECISION TO SELL AIRWAYS CRITICISED

Wanganui Chronicle, 9 September 1950, Page 3

DECISION TO SELL AIRWAYS CRITICISED

PARLIAMENT BLDGS., Yesterday (PA). —Dring the debate on the Budget in the House of Representatives this morning, Mr. MacFarlane (Opp., Christchurch Central), discussing the proposed sale of National Airways to private enterprise, Mr. MacFarlane said that no matter what contract might be entered into, it had never been the policy of one Government to set. commitments for its successor. Mr. Holland; What about the petrol contracts; are we expected to break them? That is a different matter. When we took cilice we found there were commitments which we felt bound to observe.

Mr. MacFarlane said the position would be different in regard to the air. ways. The Government could not enter into any account blindly, having been warned beforehand that any policy of the sale of the airways would be reversed when the Government was changed. “As far as I am concerned, I don't think the Goverrment would be justified in entering into a contract when it has been stated that we on thl; side of the House disagree with the sale of the airways,” said Mr. MacFarlane. Mr. Holland: That is government by threat isn't it? Mr. MacFarlane said the municipal authorities throughout the country were spending large sums on the development of airways. In Christchurch the city council was raising a loan of £200,000 for the development of Harewood airport, apart from what the State would spend. In . Wellington, too, the ratepayers would face a large loan for the development of Rongotai. Were ratepayers and taxpayers through local body and Government expenditure to accept these burdens in order that private enterprise services could use the aerodromes? Mr. MacFarlane asked how the expenditure of ratepayers’ money on aerodromes would be assessed in connection with operations by private enterprise. The Minister in Charge of Police (Mr. Fortune): Does the hon. member think it is impossible to assess it? Mr. MacFarlane: I want to know how it is to be done. He said the details not only of this aspect of the transfer, but also of the contribution private owners would be expected to make toward the maintenance of safety, and other essential services, should be placed before Parliament for full discussion before any agreement was entered into.