THE PROGRESS. LEAGUE.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16398, 18 December 1918, Page 9

THE PROGRESS. LEAGUE.

SCOPE OF THE ORGANISATION

A meeting of the newly-appointed provisional committee of tlic Christchureh branch of the Canterbury rogress League was held in the City Council Chambers yesterday afternoon. 1 resent—Messrs C. 31. Ollivier (chairman), A. F. Bravton, C. S. Harper, A. y. Henderson, G. H. Holford, E. C. Hu'e, "\V. G. Hutchison C. 31. « ■ Stevensou, I*. G. Sullivan, R. 1. -~ •will. P. R. Climie (organisor), and u. Iloare (secretary). Mr A. G. .Henderson, chairman <?l the League's Propaganda Committee, made a "brief statement explaining the general scheme of organisation. J no League, he said, originated as a union of local bodies in the proving, and the idea had been expanded to. include sen cic-ties and branches. Individuals might thus be included in three f s were all represented by their local bodies, tliew might be members of contributing societies, or they might form branches. Each local body, contnbut ng society or branch was entitled to clect one -representative or more to a generaL provincial council, under a schedule or representation set out in the constitution. This provincial council representing the whole area, would at its annual inoetinjr set up a general committee to control the business of the Leagurj and also sectional committees, each oi which would be charged with the duty: of investigating and reporting on the needs of Canterbury in regard to its special subject. The sectional committees would enlist the assistance of enthusiasts and experts, and would be able to do an immense amount of work. J ne.v might investigate questions submitted to them by the provincial council or by" the general committee, or might undertake investigations on their own motion. "In this connexion," Mr Henderson continued, "it may be advisable, at onco to dispel an erroneous impression that obtains in some quarter?. I have heard it suggested that the league proposes to usurp the functions of the Chamber of Commerce, and it was suggested at « meeting of the committee of the Automobile Association recently that the League might attempt to interfere between the Association and local bodies. These suggestions are quite without^

foundation. It may very well happen that the Chamber of Commerce will bo invited to act as .Iho Commerce Committee of the League. It may be astferl to give its attention, to questions raised at meetings of tho League's'council, but more often, and as a general rule, the procedure will be tor tlici Chamber to 'ask the support of thci League in. one or more ol_.the many" movements that it has itself initiated. Then, as between the Automobile Association and the local bodies, the Leaguo will hot and cannot intervene, except at the direct request of the Association, j T hoots that point is perfectly cleajr. ; ■Tliers is absolutely no intention to interfere with the activities of any institution or association. The League will simply lend the great weight of its com- ( .prehensive organisation to any movements that make for the better government, the health, happiness, and prosperity of the province." Speaking particularly place of the Christclmrch. branch in the organisation, Mr Henderson emphasised that it was not a separate body, and that while it >vas bound j to labour for the welfare of the city, it> was primarily and essentially a member | of the Canterbury League. Its lirsti <lutv was to foster the Canterbury sentiment and the spirit' of co-operation, and he had no doubt that its strength in numbers and influence would be at the service of • the weaker country' branches. In thanking Mr Henderson for hi* statement, Mr Ollivier emphasilsed particularly the country-wide scope and purpose of the movement, and said that it would be part of tho business of the committer to encourage. the development of a closer association and n better understanding between town and country. The chairman also welcomed the members of the committee. He, said that the work immediately aV.ead was tiie organisation of the branch and the enrolment of members, and he invited the committee to get at once to business.

It was decided to circularise business firms, inviting them to become members of tlie branch, to make arrangements for canvassing the Workers in the city, and also to invite trades unions to join and to encourage their individual members to assist in the movement. Sul>committees were set up to attend to the necessary details. A sub-committee was set up to divide the city into blocks, eacli to have a, chairman responsible for the proper ; canvassing of his district,, and the organiser was asked to give the committee h'-s assistance in the work. The chairman in this connexion said that the boundaries of the branch were those of the city of Christchurch, but it was

quite: competent for a resident in the, suburbs to join the city branch pend--iiirr the formation of a separate branch: in his own district: DRAINAGE BOARD GRANT. Mr P. 11. Climie, organiser of the Canterbury Progress League, waited on the Drainage Board last flight as a deputation to bring the objects of the League before the Board. After outlining what had been done in the matter of organisation, Mr Climie said that he Tccogniseil that tho Board was on a different footing to other local bodies, and he did not purpose asking for a large amount of iinancial support. He hoped, however, that members would see their way to endorse the League's aims and objects, and, if they mado a small contribution to the funds, it would be greatly appreciated. After the deputation bad withdrawn, Mr S. A. Staples moved:—"That a grant of £•30 be made to tho League, and that the P»oard cordially approve of the League's aims ard objects." He said that in past yan : f" , 'r}erb»i ,, y had hid its light under a buMie!. Toe League ought to have been started fifteen or twenty years ago, in which case there would not. have been tho depletion of its young men to the North Island, and thf> big would have been cut up and settled. Mr W. .7. Walter seconded the motion. .Mr H- J. Otloy, while suoporting the League's aims, pointed out that the Board's contribution would lie made by, ratepayers who had already contributed through their local bodies. The motion was agreed to.