Progressive League

Cromwell Argus, 12 August 1929, Page 5

Progressive League

A meeting of the above was held at Cromwell on Monday evening-. There was a very large attendance 65 beingpresent. Mr L Roberts presided, and Mr \Y. A. Bodkin M.P.. was present. At the instance of the chairman, a motion of sympathy was extended to Mr H. Barker, a prominent member of the League, on the death of his wife.

A considerable amount of correspondence was read. Included in this was a letter from Mr A. Moritzson, enclosing a donation of £5 towards the expense of the petition and offering to do all he could in the matter. Reporting on the petition. Mr T. Phillips said it was being well signed in the various centres. Mr G. Crabbe had agreed to do Bannockburn. and Mr Con Bowie had taken the place of the canvassers originally appointed in Cromwell. He had secured a very large list of signatures and the Mayor was doing good work among the business people. At Kawarau Gorge and Ripponvale it was well signed. In regard to finance, the business-people had responded most generously. Thirty pounds had besn subscribed, which', with £lO promised by Mr Bodkin, left a fund of £4O. The petition should now go ahead. A further report was that Mr Murphy, who had been engaged to take the petition to Dunedin a week previously, had not left, as he was not satisfied with the petition. Long explanations between Mr Murphy and the petition committee followed. Mr Murphv declined to have anything: to do with the matter, and it was finally left in the hands of Mr Bodkin to discuss the matter with Mr Murphy. Mr Bodkin addressed the meeting at length, and dealt with several local matters. In connection with Pisa flats no decision had yet been arrived at regarding preference to soldiers. Irrigation matters were progressing satisfactorily and he was hopeful of having a local scheme authorised in the near future. The possibilities of Lake Hawea as a source of hydroelectric power for pumping schemes for the I'pper CKltha and the Maniototo plains was receiving: renewed attention from members of Parliament. It was one of the biggest schemes that could be undertaken. He instanced that the Government had spent .£3-000,000 in constructing a reservoir at Arapuni, and compared this with Hawea, which would serve a large area at a much lesser cost, Dunedin, too. was becoming frightened of YVaipori. Another feature in favor of. irrigation and the scheme under notice was that the Government had to find employment for some 30,000 unemployed, and was determined that as far as possible productive works must be undertaken. On the West Coast work would be restorative, but in Central Otago it would be con-' structive, and irrigation must take precedence, lie had entered into compact with North Island members and had their support. He felt confident that the Meg would be first harnessed to meet immediate requirements, with great hopes for the ultimate influence of the Hawea scheme. Mr Bodkin further stated that he was arranging- a visit to the district for a few days, probably early in the New Year, of a Parliamentary Party, and many had already consented to make the trip. During the visit they would be shown the results of irrigation, and also the great tourist attractions of the lakes. He looked for the support of local bodies in the matter. Such a visit would have farreaching- effects. On land matters Mr Bodkin said instructions had been issued that no renewals of pastoral leases would be granted, and legislation would be in the direction of acquiring any lease at a price making for subdivision. The Government hoped this year to place from 25.000 to 50,000 settlers on the land, but for the first year would probably have to tackle first-class land in small holdings. The State Advance office was in funds, and the Prime Minister was emphatic that no delay would be entertained in meeting applications, ation had been prepared giving power to small bodies of settlers in the matter of irrigation control. He specially asked that the whole district should lay itself out for the visit of tlu> Parliamentary Party. The meeting thanked Mr Bodkin for his interest, and pledged itself to do all in its power to arrange an itinerary for the Parliamentary Party. Replying to a question, Mr Bodkin said that when the petition was presented they would get a scheme at once. To other speakers who said Hon. I Taverner gave little hope for Hawea. ; Mr Bodkin stated that the scheme J was now being viewed in a different j light. k ... One member asked it the Govern- j ment was going to rely on the same 1 land authorities as the former (Jov- J ernmeut, and Mr Bodkin's reply was | that the Board was being remodelled. and at least two members must in- j spect every run capable of subdivision. General matters were discussed and j a hearty vote of thanks was accorded Mr Bodkin for his visit and interest in the district. Mr Bodkin. in acknowledgment, assured the meeting that he was out to do all lie could for the electorate and the district. He was going to push hard for the immediate progress of this* district. ! 1 j .