PROGRESS LEAGUE

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18347, 2 April 1925, Page 10

PROGRESS LEAGUE

o MEETING OF EXECUTIVE

Tlie .first meeting of the executive of the Canterbury Progress League to bo held in the uetv quarters which the League shades vitli tlie Canterbury Clumber of Commerce, took Jplace last evening. There was a good attendance, over which Mr A. F. Wright presided ir. tho absence of the president (Air J. If. Blackwell).

In his opening statement, the chairman reported that the members who had inspected the harbour improvements at. Lytteltou that day were well pleased with what they had seen. Evidently the Harbour Board was maliing every effort to enlarge the port and increase • its facilities, and it was up to the Railway Department to do its part by carrying out the requisite improvements in the Lyttelton tunnel, as promised by tlia Government. Preparations for the erection of the Canterbury Court at the JS T ew Zealand and South Seas Exhibition were discussed, the chairman mentioning that the chairman of the Chamber of Commerce had suggested tba-t Mr Climie be asked to visit Dunedin and. to carry out all the arrangements for a fittiag Canterbury exhibit. Various members questioned the advisability of Mr. Climie's carrying out the work' in view of certain country opposition and tho objection of the Canterbury Industrial Association as a body to any representation at the Exhibition.

The chairman suggested that Mr Denys Kooie be asked to make the arrangements for the exhibit, in view of his experience at "Wembley. Mr F. Thompson moved that the Exhibition Committee be asked to endeavour to riiako some other arrangement in regard to tlie preliminary work at the Exhibition. The motion was seconded by Mr J. E. Coop and carried. It was decided to be represented at the memorial service on Anzac Day, and to forward a wreath. The action of Messrs G. H. "Sol ford and J-.E. Straohan in giving evidence on belialf of the League before tho Agricultural Commission on Rural Education,- was approved, and a voto of thanks to the two membera was carried.

There was a discussion on th« question of forwarding remits to the proposed conference of South Island Progress Leagues, which, it is proposed to hold in Dunedin. The chairman said that the League had long recognised that such a conference would bo of gre&t benefit and have important effects. The shipping facilities of the South Island, which were anything hut sufficient, the allocation of Public "Works money, and the proposal made in the organiser's report on the subject in regard to investing districts'- with more control of their hydro-electrio supplies, were matters that could be considered. The matter was one thjfc the Advisory Committee should deal with as soon as possible. Mr Climie stated that hotel accommodation, according to •» letter he had received, might be difficult to secure, and thei League would have to decitlo soon how many delegates, would' be sent. There were several matters of South Island importance that could be discussed. Ho thought that Canterbury's port railway was iteelf a matter of South Island importance. The questions of remits and the appointment of delegates, were, referred to <ho Advisory Committee. The chairman reported that at the next meeting the' committee concerned would tring down its report on the question of the South Island main trunk railway.