TASMAN AIR TERMINAL

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22511, 20 September 1938, Page 8

TASMAN AIR TERMINAL

OFFICIAL VIEW OF ; LYTTELTON

TWO REQUIREMENTS NOT H FULFILLED \ *

SAFETY AND FACILITY OP

OPERATION

The views of the Minister for Defence (the Hon. F. Jones) on the possibilities of Lyttelton as a terminal for the trans-Tasman air ser- -. vice were conveyed to the Lyttelton Borough Council at its meeting last night in a letter from the secretary of the Canterbury Progress League, j Mr P. R- Climie, who wrote in reply to representations made by the council that the league should support the proposal more vigorously. The Minister, in his letter to the _ league, stated: — "I have to say that the claims of - Lyttelton have by no means been, overlooked. It will be recognised, however, that the whole problem . requires to be considered by the Government from the point of view primarily of safety and the best m- • terests of the Dominion as a whole, i "Apart from the fact that its use as a terminal would unduly prolong the journey from Sydney to New - Zealand and actually involve the passing of alighting places more ad- .. vantageously situated as regards distribution of mail, etc., the evideiice placed- before the technical officers of the Government indicated that the port of Lyttelton could not be regarded as fulfilling the requirements of safety and facility of operation. The prolongation of the flight, moreover, would necessitate the carrying of larger fuel and oil supplies and thus decrease the amount of pay-load that could be carried. "I am sorry that it is not possible for me.to send you a more favour-, able reply; but in the circumstances set out, I am afraid that the Gov- ' ernment cannot decide upon the port of Lyttelton as the New Zealand terminal for the trans-Tasman service." - "'" Visit of Centaurus I In his accompanying letter, Mr Climie stated that when the service was first mooted, he had per-- „ sonally discussed the claims of Lyttelton with the technical officers of the Air Department. In their opinion, Auckland was the logical terminal, and they said that it was most unlikely that any serious consideration would be given to any other port. Mr Climie did not agree with the Minister's statement that , Lyttelton could not be- regarded as fulfilling the requirements of safety and facilityJpf operation.- The Centaurus proved beyond doubt that Lyttelton was a safe. port. The only real objection to Lyttelton was,its geographical position. It was situated too far south and would in- v crease the total flying distance. vjg~Cr. RiiCairnsvsaid-it appeared.that eg: the South Island had tried its best jC to defeat itself. If all the bodies and other bodies in the South ,'t - Island had got behind the project it might have made a difference. As it was, two Progress Leagues in the south- had supported Wellington as a base: ' ; ; ' - •The letter .was received.