SOUTH ISLAND LEAGUE.

Auckland Star, Volume L, Issue 169, 17 July 1919, Page 11

SOUTH ISLAND LEAGUE.

COXFERENX'E IN WELLINGTON. iCy Telegraph.—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Wednesday. The South Island Conference of Development Leagues met here this morning. A considerable number of delegates attended, but others were prevented from participating on account of tho collapse of the railway serrice. The delegates were accorded a civic welcome by the Mayor. Mr J. Craigie, M.P., in an opening address, reviewed the objects of the League, and urged the necessity of development of hydro-electric power and land settlement, especially for soldiers, urging that an eifort should be made to enable them to settle in proximity to the locality where they were brought tip and relatives reside. The Hon. G. W. Russell delivered a lengthy address, dealing largely with population statistics. Speaking of hospitals and their services, he said that the war had revealed that there are a great many unfit men, and it was necessary to take steps to remedy defects in order to build up strong, virile men, capable of successfully fighting the battles of the future. In order to do this it would be necessary for the Government to tpend considerable sums. He also urged the immediate harnessing of the Dominion's vast water power resources, without which it was impossible for the Dominion to take her rightful placo.