AIR TRUNK ROUTES.

Waikato Times, Volume 118, Issue 19632, 19 July 1935, Page 8

AIR TRUNK ROUTES.

COMPANY CRUCIFIED.

PURCHASE OF MACHINES.

BOARD’S REFUSAL CRITICISED.

DUNEDIN, Thursday.

Strong criticism of the action of the Transport Co-ordination Board in ■refusing permission to New Zealand Airways, Limited, to operate services with the five Boeing aeroplanes purchased by 'the company was expressed 'by its managing-directors, Mr H. M. Mackay, who, in the course of his remarks, challenged the statement Issued by the board to the effect that the company had been warned not to purchase the machines.

Mr Mackay said the board’s action had completely crucified the company, .which as long as two years ago had made preliminary arrangements to operate trunk services through New Zealand. No further step was taken until April, 1934, when the company, having 'satisfied itself that the machines were not of foreign origin, which appeared to be the only objection against them, commissioned Captain Talbot,Lehmann to purchase the Boeing aeroplanes. The possibilities of these machines had been investigated from every angle and their suitability for the work seemed beyond question. There was no doubt whatever that they were manufactured entirely in Canada by a Canadian company, and a guarantee to this effect had been received from the Boeing Company. “Instead of assistance and co-opera-tion," said Mr Mackay, “the board has extended us obstruction. We are even denied the privilege of' a general taxi licence for New Zealand, which we have enjoyed for the past six years. The boat’d states that it has granted us . a licence. I reply that it has granted us nothing; on the other hand, it- has taken away from us 80 per cent, of the business connection which we have spent six years In developing, and has handed this over to newcomers in the aviation field."

FEELING IN PALMERSTON.

PALMERSTON N„ Thursday.' The decision of the Transport Co<ordination Board to delete Palmerston North as a port of call by Great Pacific Airways ,came as a great surprise to the public, as it was generally accepted that the town would be one of the ports owing to its geographical position and Hie lacilities offered at Milson aerodrome, which is being still further improved by a grant from the Government.

Questioned this evening, ihe Mayor, Mr' A. E. MansTord, said the matter had been considered, but declined to state what had been done. lie remarked that the people of Palmerston North would naturally like to see the town made a port of call, but apparently the board had facts with which the public was not conversant. It is understood, however, that the matter will be further considered locally and steps taken to protect the interests of the district.