SOUTHLAND ALLEGED TO BE NEGLECTED.

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 79, 1 October 1923, Page 6

SOUTHLAND ALLEGED TO BE NEGLECTED.

(BI lEHQRAPH PRESS ASSOCIATION.)

INVERCARGILL, 29th Sept. A meeting of local bodies called by the Southland. League was held this morning for the purpose of making- a united protest against the omission of Southland from the itinerary of the overseas delegation. Representatives ot the Harbour Board, Power Board, Chamber of Commerce, Borough Council, County Council, Farmers 5 Union, A. and P. Association, and a full attendance of country local bodies wera present.

The opinion was expressed that it was absolutely essential, if the delegation was to form a reliable estimate of the country's capacity in regard to the absorption of immigrants, that the possibilities of Southland be thoroughly investigated by a visit from the delegation m order, to obtain a personal acquaintance with the opportunities of the district. It was stated that Southland comprised eight million acres being the eighth in total area in the Dominion, and carried only a twentieth of the population; yet places mailer iv area and possessing lesser opportunities tor settlement were placed on the itinerary. Th e immense possibilities of development, particularly in the dairy industry, were emphasised. Very warm criticism of the Government was indulged in by various speakers, and a ■resolution was passed embodyin" an emphatic protest against Southland's omission, and demanding immediate in-fc-Miiatlon as to the cause of its exclusion. It was maintained that this was not an isolated case o£ neglect, but merely one of mauy instances of persistent ignoring of the district on occasions when eminent overseas visitors conje to the Dominion to make themselves acquainted with the country's capacity m the production of primary, products. Copies of the resolution have ten* Sfri* Acting-Premier, Sir William Wmdham, and the H<m G J. Anderson.