CENTRAL PROGRESS LEAGUE

Dominion, Volume 15, Issue 235, 30 June 1922, Page 6

CENTRAL PROGRESS LEAGUE

ANNUAL MEETING HOUSING CONDITIONS DEPLORED Air. C. Al. Luke (president) was in the chair at the annual meeting of tho Central Progress League last night. In moving tho adoption of the report and balance-sheet tins chairman said it was surprising how little progress they had been aolo to make in public matters. In regard to the Girls' Col; lego site, they had used every effort to further its completion. What was true of that applied to such matters as th© deviation of the Rimutaka railway, to which the Government .had so far turned a deaf ear. Tho State was in possession of some important surveys, which may bo utilised in time to como. The Rimutaka railway and road works was also being urged. The new railway station in Wellington was another most important work. Tho first step between the Government and the Harbour Board in regard to the erection of tho training wall had been accomplished, and there was nothing to prevent tho work being commenced in a few weeks. The economy to bo gained by tho erection of the station to take 'the place of the existing two did not need to bo stressed —it was obvious. Tho better housing of our people had, boon urged, and plans for suitable houses had been prepared. He paid a high tribute to the organiser (Air. G. Mitchell, AI.P.) wlio was two-tfiirds of the league. I He considered tho league the most important public organisation in tho city. It had taken a national view on tho points brought before them, and whilo it was walking just now, tho day was not far distant when it would be able to run vigorously. Ho did not intend to minimis© the work of other institutions, such as th© Chamber of Commerce, which in their own way, were doing their best for the community. Realising the potentialities of this league, , they asked to bo judged by then- efforts and their works. Mr. TU Spear seconded tho motion. Dr. T. D." Al. Stout stressed the excellent work done by tho president. He also praised the great part in ,tho activities of tho city taken by the league. In Wellington tho housing problem was deplorable, and as the town grew tho houses did not keep pace, with the result that it had become a common custom of the people to have on© family and sometimes oven two x in one room. Such a state of things should not be allowed ed in a civilised and wealthy community like ours. Although we could not expect any extensive townplanning schemes to bo Carried out tn Wellington, there should bo soroo semblance of control exercised with regard to tho localities high buildings are being erected in. It had become tho custom to put houses on tho smallest area possible in tho centra of tho city, intend of distributing the population as far away as possible. Two evils wore the aggregation of buildings and the neglect of providing efficient means of transit to the suburbs. Tho roads wero poor, Mid tho passenger services were not what they should bq.' , In regard to tlis Rimutaka deviation, and its concoinitant advantages, he strongly urged the carrying out of that work, if D only' to provide easy; access to so much of the land betweeri. the line and the East Coast. After several other members had spoken tho motion was carried. Tlie election of officers resulted a-s follows: —President, Mr. P. C. Watt; vice-presidents, Messrs. R. A. Wright, M.P., W. H. Field. M.P., Dr. T. D. Al. Stout, Dr. A. K. Newman, AI.P.. Air. W. Stewart Wilson, committee,' Messrs'. C. Al. Luke, C. Daniels, L. AlcKenzio, T. Forsyth. W. Sim, O. C Odlin, F. Oastle J. T. Johns, W. H. Bennett; treasurer, Mr. W. Stuart Wilson; hon. secretary and treasurer, Mr. G. Alitchell, AI.P. It was decided to urge the Government to take steps to have the Wellington Technical College building completed as soon os possible. Air. Mitchell explained that the pamphlet they were having printed was to deal with tho commercial and domestic life of Wellington, and tbs first issue would bo 20.000, the cost of which would have to be provided' by the league and their sympathisers.