WAIRARAPA PROGRESS

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 226, 18 June 1920, Page 8

WAIRARAPA PROGRESS

LEAGUES' ' —$ (From Our Special Correspondent.) Featherston June 17. At a pU'biio meeting convaed by tho Deputy-Mayor of Foatherston (Mr. P. tV. Smith) visitors were present representing the Mastorton Proeress Lcaguo, which has been very activo in promoting united action in the Wairarapa towards coordinated 'effort in district progression. Several speakers, including Messrs. F. Temple (Mastorton president), A. W. Ohapman, and Komp, stressed the necessity for,\Vairarapa and Wellington fighting side by side in order that the lVairarapa, such an important "feeder" of the citv, should bo given a "Bquare deal" in the matter of public works expenditure, notably as to a deviation of the railway calculated to odop. up the countryside and brine city and country into nearer communication. It was pointed out_ that much Wairarapa business wan coing to Auckland in. consequence of Wellington's business and public apathy. "Colonel Mitchell, M.P., seems to be the only really live man in Wellinaton," said Mr. Temple. Mr. A. 0. Holms, retiring Acting-Mayor of Foatherston, emphasised the need for linking up all league branches in the Wairarapa in order that.there mipht be unity of purpoßb, and that tho spirit of piroehial'sm might be laid low. Featherston might well have battled for tho Old Ooach railway deviation of particular benefit to tho town, or acrainat any deviation in View of Cross Oreelt being an im-. portant "feeder" from 4 business point/ of view, but several local public mon had long sineo determined to support the Wai-nui-o-mata proposition as favoured by Mr. R. W. Holmes, engineer in chief, as tendin? to open up the hinterland of the Wairarapa. Masterton, aVid Paliiatua electorates, from Palliser Bay to Pongaroa and beyond. In educational matters the country centres were greatly handicapped, and the Wnirnrapa had a ward ropreßen-" tation grievance of special significance. Ho moved:—"That- a Featherston Industrial and Educational Progress League be inaugurated. havlne in view the need for unity in the Wairarapa as to promoting a forward policy in regard to loral-'and national nodal and industrial dovelonment." This was seconded by Mr. J. T. Bioknell, who pointed to tho golden opportunity In front of t.ho district, which <">nld brcome a veritable Garden of Eden. T 1 "! motion wps carried unanimously.

Mr. Q. Donald, county chnirmnn,, spoke nf tho good work done by the Masterton Tioanie. and-remarked that the Hlmntaka devintinn would bo a big hurdle to negotiate.'

On the motion of Mr. E. R. Sinclair it i' r . deou'wl:—"That p., preliminary commit'oo. conn°«tinjr of ten members representative of the two respective peetinns of membership indicted, lie elected, five t-> rnnresnnt industrial ■ and five educational interest" in particular. This committee to enrol members «nd draft n. eonstit"Hon." Mews. W. Benton, J. T, Bicltnoll. M. H. Talt. and J: P. Macali'tcr we'i> elected bp an Industrial sectional committee. the Workers' JMimational Association to bn nskod to nominate, an ennal number. Mr. N. 0. 0. Shepperd was clocted ns eecrotary.