AERODROME PROPOSAL

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 8, Issue 3, 29 August 1944, Page 5

AERODROME PROPOSAL

Sir —I read with mingled feelings of interest and disappointment the article in your last issue in which the County Chairman has made his council's attitude so plain regarding the formation of an Airport Board, It is needless for me to touch on past history in connection with this subject as it serves no' useful purpose nor is it necessary to enlarge upon the advantages, ol' aviation, as they are doubless well known to everybody, suffice, it therefore to touch' briefly upon the present position. In summarising Mr Burnett's statement, I consider he has omitted a very important factor. It was the recommendation of Government experts who visited Whakatane re' cently for the purpose that one site with which they were impressed should he considered as the most suitable for an aerodrome. Arising from this suggestion, it was thought that it would be wise to go into the matter of setting up an Airport Board 5 composed of members of botb Borough and County. This: group was to go into ways and means and keep in touch with the development of air transport and above all ascertain the Government's intentions after the war and whether the mat' ter was to be treated as a national private enterprise, or a matter for local bodies to take up. Again, as to whether or not the matter could be taken up as an essential national work for rehabilitation of men returning from the war, and as to Avhat extent the Government would go by way of subsidy or assistance. I ! t was plain, that, before any definite action could be taken that a body of responsible men should be formed to gather all the necessary information which could be considered by the local bodies and the ratepayers of the district. , Here I may point, out that it was ' never intended or even hinted that the members of such body should be given the power to act without the full consideration and approval oi the bodies concerned, and their appointment would be subject to these terms. As far as the ratepayers were concerned nothing could be done without their consent, and that being the case, may I ask the ratepayers what possibly can be their objection. Let me suggest to all parties to get on with the. business and put an end to this school-boy argument. The only expenditure I can see is a feAV postage and maybe a telegram or two, until the representatives make their report. It is difficult for anyone to understand why our two local bodies cannot come together and discuss this matter in a friendly spirit.. After all is said and done it is a vital matter tied up with the future of the, whole district and one can easily visualise the important part aviation will play in all parts of the world. I Can only express my hope that the time has arrived for mis-' understanding to be brushed and when we, can tackle the details of this job as responsible men should. As a ratepayer in both Borough and County I submit this letter as my own personal opinion and not in any way as a representative of the Borough Council. J. CREEKE.