P.M. Challenged On S.P.A.N.Z.

Press, Volume CV, Issue 30955, 11 January 1966, Page 3

P.M. Challenged On S.P.A.N.Z.

(N.Z. Press Association) MASTERTON, Jan. 10. The general manager of S.P.A.N.Z., Captain R. D. Daniel, today challenged statements made by the Prime Minister (Mr Holyoake) at the opening of the Taupo Airport on Saturday.

“Mr Holyoake said that SP.A.N.Z. was given a large amount of public support. Since October. 1963, when the Cabinet agreed to postpone the charging of airways dues for two years, no support whatsoever has been accorded the companv bv the Government, i “’When Mr Ansett withdrew

18 months ago he expressed the hope that an all-New Zealand company would obtain the changes in legislation required to clip the ever-spread-ing wings of N.A.C. to make room for private enterprise in the airline field,” said Captain Daniell. “Today N.A.C. continues as unfettered as ever, but private companies are hemmed in with innumerable curbs to development. “When S.P.A.N.Z. applied for economy trunk fares to bolster its traffic the Government allowed N.A.C. and the Railways to fight the case for a week when it would have been the most minor of concessions to instruct its own transport operators to give the scheme a trial. I “Where are the large sums

6f taxpayers’ money referrer to by the Prime Minister? Mi Holyoake is satisfied to poui taxpayers’ money into th< Samoan Islands as a result 6: which natives who are not ever New Zealand citizens receivi services denied to New Zea land communities. “But Mr Holyoake is no: prepared to introduce legisla tion which will permit Nev Zealand citizens to develop ar air service largely owned bj the districts which had beer by-passed in N.A.C.’s develop ment. “All the local capital put u[ in support of aviation develop ment has been lost and th. Government falls back on soc ialism to provide service: which private ehterprise couh have provided, given even th< slightest encouragement. “1 know rebuttal will b<

I hurled in the form of airmail ' carriage, but that is another , story which I will enlarge on j if challenged. i “The Press Association re- : ported the Prime Minister as • saying, ‘Everyone agrees Taupo should have an airport.’ :He knows that Government • departments frustrated the ■ scheme for at least two years, particularly through the Local Body Loans Board. i “I am left wondering why • politicians publish limited i circulation pamphlets for i party members which are not •i factual and designed to jus-j ; ttfy the torpedoing of a com- • pany which was providing a • very much needed counterl poise in a field which is almost ! entirely dominated by Government agencies,” said Captain : Daniell.