South Island Conference Disagrees on Air Service Fares

Grey River Argus, 13 April 1948, Page 4

South Island Conference Disagrees on Air Service Fares

DUNEDIN, April 12. A flat basic fare for air travel from any main aerodrom e in New Zealand to other countries, pending the establishment of an air terminal in the South Island, was urged this morning by Mr J. R. Hanan, M.P. for Invercargill, in a motion put to the conference of Soutp Island members of Parliament witht executives of the South Island Local Bodies Association and the Publicity Association. Mr Hanan, who later withdrew ms motion, said such a move would pur South Island passengers on a more equitable basis. ‘‘lt merely adds to the economy and justice of the case for a South Island airport,” he added. MR NORDMEYER’S VIEW

The motion was opposed by Minister of Supply, Hon. A. H. Nordmeyer, who said that if the fare to Australia cost South Island people -m more than those in Auckland, it would weaken the claim for an airport in the South. . A motion put forward by the president of the South Island Local Bodies’ Association, Mr E. H. Andrews, of Christchurch, said that the South Island Members of Parliament be asked to press for an internotional airpoit in the South Island for land-based planes was carried. The motion, which was seconded *iy Mr J. A. Harley, Mayor of Nelson, asked the Members of Parliament to make the strongest possible approach to the Prime Minister and the Cabinet for the immediate declaration of a suitable airfield. “I am glad we are going to adopt the idea that this is a South Island project. We must have an airport in the South Island.” said the Leader of the Opposition, Mr S. G. Holland.