AUCKLAND AS INTERNATIONAL AIR TERMINAL

Grey River Argus, 9 October 1948, Page 7

AUCKLAND AS INTERNATIONAL AIR TERMINAL

AUCKLAND, October 7.

“The British air expert, Sir Frederick Tymms, agrees that Auckland is the best location in New Zealand for an international airport; he nas seen both the Mangere and East Tamaki sites and may favour the latter because of its greater accessibility to Auckland,” said Sir Keith Park at a meeting of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce to-day. He was reporting to the chamber on the question of the'setting up of an Auckland airport authority to control an international airport. The Minister in charge of Air Department, Hon F. Jones, favoured Whenuapai, said Sir Keith Park. Because it was geographically and technically unsuitable and because it was essential to the Royal New Zealand Air Force to protect New Zealand’s sea routes and to defend Auckland he had strongly advised against it, he added.

Until he had received the Tymms report, which was expected at the end of November, Mr Jones was not prepared to discuss the matter at any length, Sir Keith Park said. The Commissioner of Works (Mr R. 11. Packwood) had said it would lake four to live years to complete an airport and it was therefore unlikely that an international aerodrome would be in operation by 1952, the target date. n . "Until the Government has decided on the location of the airport no useful purpose would be served by setting un a new authority,” said Sir Keith’Park. On his recommendation it was decided to defer the matter until next year.