THE CENTRAL DISTRICT

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 251, 17 July 1920, Page 11

THE CENTRAL DISTRICT

ADVANCING ITS INTERESTS \ PROGRESS LEAGUE CONFERENCE. Under tho auspices'of the Central Progress League, a conference .of delegates from local bodies, chambers . of commerce, district progress leagues, . < and hydro-electric, leagues, -was hold in Wellington yesterday afternoon to discuss the constitution and the policy of the Central league. Tho conference was largely attended, delegates being present from Marlborough, Nelson, the Mariawatu and Wairarapa districts, Hastings, Napier, and the East Coast.. Mr. C. il. Luke, president of tho Central Progress League, ocoupiwl the chair. Mr. Luke outlined the negotiation!) leading up to ilia formation of tho Ou» tral Progress League and tho establishment of tho executive at Palmorston North. Subsequently, ho said, it was found that the executive work could best,be carried out in Wellington and everyday meetings had been held here to discuss thte various problems needing attention. Mr. Luko paid a high tribute.to the manner in which Mr. G. Mitchell, M.P., the organising secretary, had addressed himself to fonuulatiug the programme of the league. Later on, it was proposed to hold another conference to discuss tie various subjects coming under the purview of t'io league. The first business discussed was 'tho matter of. the constitution and rules of the league. Mr. Mitchell stated that any local body, chamber of commerce, railway league, or any incorporated body could affiliate with the league.' The motto of the league was "Constant I'rogress;'" and it was provided that the league ■ should tabe ,no part in parly politics, but confine itself to forwarding the interests of the central district of tho Dominion, and encouraging everything that tended to promote the prosperity of tho country as a whole. A good deal of discussion ensued regarding certain details of the constitution, and it 'was decided that the executive should formulate definite proposals regarding the'basis'of representation at conferences and the financial obligations of affiliated bodies, to be submitted to the annual conference of the leaguo. It w,as decided that the present executive should continue in office until the next annual conference.

Mr. Mitchell explained thai at a it*, cent conference of members of Parliament from tho central district tho urgency of the various requirements of the district was ranged in the following order: Homes, schools, hydro-elec-i-trio works, roads, railways, and 'shipping. The affiliated leagues, he said, could discuss these matters and-forward their views 'upon them to tho central body, which could then adopt a definite policy in regard to them. On the motion of Mr. H. D. Bennett (Welluxgton Chamber of Commerce), seconded by Mr. W. C. Whitloek (East Uast Railway and Development League), it was decided to congratulate the executive of the Central Progress Leaguo on the work it had dono in the past year, and to urge the members of tho leaguo to enlist the sympathy and support of the various bodies in their districts. Before the conference dispersed several speakers referred in eulogistic terms to tho work performed by' Mr. Mitchell and congratulated him on his ientry into tho House. "It is young members like him that we want." remarked a delesate.