Progress League winds up as step to merger

Press, 7 November 1978, Page 1

Progress League winds up as step to merger

Fhe merger of the Canterbury Progress League and the Christchurch Convention Bureau was taken a step further last evening.

League members resolved to wind up their organisation, and gave their executive committee the power to form a new organisation with the convention bureau. A meeting of about 25 ; league members last even- ! ing voted unanimously in ! favour of the proposal. The new organisation j would serve two functions ! — an information centre, j and a body concerned with regional development. A public relations officer would be appointed, and would be the chief execu--1 tive officer. ; The proposal calls for a 14-member board of management to run the new organisation. Eight members would probably be representatives of local bodies. Some finance would come from private members, but most would come from local bodies, said the

league’s president (Mr T, M. Inch).

According to Mr Inch, if the new organisation served the functions of the progress league and the convention bureau, it could expect higher grants from local bodies than the league had received.

“Some local bodies are holding back finance until

the issue has been re solved," he said.

“With the finances of the 60-year-old league at a dangerously low level, and its existence hanging in the balance, the executive was determined to find a solution which would allow the two organisations to merge, and thus ensure the continuing of an effective communications service essential for the development of Canterbury.” Cr D. G. Allan, of the Cheviot County Council,

said that the new organisation could expect “renewed support if it was seen to do something.”

What to call the new organisation created a lot of discussion. Four suggestions were made: the Canterbury Development Council, Canterbury Council (Inc.), Canterbury Promo-

tion (Inc.), and Canterbury Provincial (Inc.). A show of hands revealed a preference for Canterbury Promotion (Inc.) and Canterbury Council (Inc.). Another meeting of the league will be held early next month to confirm the resolutions made last evening.