EXPANSION LEAGUE

Evening Star, Issue 18050, 18 August 1922, Page 3

EXPANSION LEAGUE

A YEAR'S PROGRESS. WORK DONE AND TO DO. THE FINANCIAL HANDICAP. Tho tenth annual meeting of tho Otago Expansion League was held in the Council Chambers last evening. The president (Mr C. Todd) was in the chair. THE PRESIDENT’S ADDRESS. The President, in moving tho adoption of the annual report and balance-sheet (previously published), said that ho wished to record his appreciation of the good work of the members of executive and committees. A great deal of the league's success must bo attributed to tho secretary. Mr Stool had not spared himself. Ho had enthusiastically taken up all projects tending to tho welfare of tho province and city, and he felt sure the fact that few mistakes, if any, wore made was because of his caution, ripe business f experience, and his knowledge of men. Tho finances had been, at a low ebb for some years. Many citizens subscribed really well; others gave their sympathy. Sympathy, however, was poor currency wherewith to pay rents, salaries, and other outgoings. Tho society had had to depend on voluntary subscriptions. Canterbury bodies found over £I,OOO per annum for their league, making it possible to advertise that province to a much greater extent than Otago found possible because of lack of funds. Advertising was absolutely necessary, and spelt success for business. The same rule applied to a city, province, or country. Outsiders must bo made aware of tho fact that tho league existed, and, whilst boasting was to bo deprecated, a. statement of fact regarding real conditions must bo placed before intending settlers and tourists. Pamphlets setting forth the beauties of our lake and mountain scenery should bo sent to all parts o. the world from whence tourists were likely to come. Facts and figures giving details of our wonderfully productive soil and climate must bo distributed in countries that would induce desirable immigrants with cash, or, better still, with strong and healthy children, to come and help us realise the wealth wo had in such abundance. We must boost our fair laud; and if our citizens would give to tho league reasonable subscriptions this work would, ho felt sure, be carried out to entire satisfaction.

The balance-sheet showed that the financial year ended with a debit of £2 Os 2d. Since then the City Council had voted £2OO and the St. Hilda Borough Council £25 to the funds. These donations, together with usual subscriptions, had enabled them to arrange for the reissue of the tourist pamphlet entitled ‘ Milford Track: The Finest Walk in tho World,’including additional illustrations and descriptive matter of Lakes Te Anau and Manapouri. On reading the report they would notice that the league seized every opportunity to further the interests of the province, and he felt sure they would admit good work had been done. He would not weary them with repetitions, excepting to remark in passing that the pastoral Land laws were now on a much more satisfactory basis. Rent was a very small percentage of Government income from a successful tenant, and now that leaseholders might have long-term leases, with right of renewal and ultimately the freehold, on easy terms (if they so desired), a feeling of confidence was created that would inspire tho settler* to arrest the deterioration that had been going on in Central Otago, and eventually make the depleted lands better than when in their natural state. They would also find mention of the successful operations of the boys’ ‘'agricultural competitions, and the committee handling this venture -was putting in good work. The experimental farm at Galloway, near Alexandra, was another result of tho league’s efforts. Those experiments would be of great value in determining the fodder plants best suited to dry conditions. Since the date of the report tho work of straightening tho railway line to Eavenshourne had been, undertaken by the Harbor Board. This work, when completed and sidings laid down to Victoria wharf, would enable the board to handle the country’s imports and exports much more expeditiously and cheaply. The land thrown open,' with tho siding facilities and cheap electric power (such as Dunedin enjoys) should be readily let tor factories, grain, fruit, and wool stores, cool stores, etc. He must tho league’s efforts in the direction of forming a Power Board for the distribution of electric .power for Otago. Mosriel borough and Taicri County had decided not to join in the meantime. Those bodies had a favorable agreement with the Dunedin City Council; hut ho was satisfied that tho Otago Power Board when formed would bo a much bettor proposition in regard to price, earlier reticulation, and in other ways than the Taieri County now enjoyed under the corporation agreement. Tho excellent arrangement come to between tho City Council and the Government for supply in bulk at a low wholesale rate to tho Otago Power Board would enable the latter to realise a handsome profit for the benefit of the ratepayers in that area. The wholesale price * would be about £5 per h.p. The average retail city price was about £l4. The difference would _ provide for interest, depreciation and sinking fund, and leave a substantial balance. Tho net profit to the Dunedin city for the past three years averaged about 32 per cent, after allowing for total working costs, and just on 10 per cent, gross profit to capital expenditure. Those figures should give confidence to their country friends, and. even allowing for more expensive reticulation, the margin should be ample to obviate any rate. The direct and indirect benefits were so many and outstanding that ho felt it would ho a waste of time to go over the same ground. Tho opportunity was here, and it only remained for the interested local bodies to join up, and in one year light, power, and heat would bo available to all, lessening work, increasing health and comfort, and adding brightness and cheerfulness in the factory, tho home, and on the farm. They had passed through one of the meet trying years in their history. Very few had escaped losses, more or less’serious. Primary producers had been hit hard, and many had been compelled to leave their holdings. Otago and Southland had been more fortunate than, further north in this respect. The future showed promise of better times. The markets for wool, meat, butter, and cheese were considerably higher than tho average of the past twelve months. Excepting for cross-bred wool, prices were high in the world’s markets as compared with pre-war rates. Charges, freezing, shipping, and selling in Britain were too costly, averaging fully ICO per cent, above pre-war. Added to this, almost everything the fanner required—nianures, machinery, etc. —was from 50 per cent, to 100 per cent, up, and on top of all 1 per cent, to 2 per cent, had been added to overdrafts and mortgages, while rates and taxes had been increased. The load the farmer had to carry to-day was not realised by city dwellers. It was not only wages that must come back, but Government taxation, bank and mortgage interest, shipping, and other chargee. The position must be seriously considered by those in authority,' and the settlers and traders relieved at as early a date as possible from the staggering load. They had one of tho most favored countries on earth. The people had acquired expensive habits during the past few years, and many had lost their keenness for work. Bad times would correct those irregularities. They must now work harder, spend less, save more, and In a reasonable time the people would be marching along on the nigh road to prosperity. Faith in themselves and confidence in the future would be a great help. After all, as compared with Europe (as ho personally_ saw it 'before the war), they really didn’t know wlhafc poverty and hunger meant. In conclusion, he wished to thank tho city and country newspapers for tho valuable help extended to the league in the work ox advancing the interests of

Mr Inglis Wright, in seconding tho motion, said that, although the leafguo had much to struggle against, it had done a lot; but it had not collected the income it should have done. Canterbury was more favored in that respect. They should make a determined effort during the coming year to get tho citizens to take a greater interest in the welfare of the province, 'He congratulated tho chairman on tho time ho had devoted to tho league during Iris term of office. Mr E. Tamblyn, chairman of the Country Development Committee, in speaking to the motion, said that they could look forward with as their finances were improving rapidlv. They wanted to see. a dairy farm established by the Government in the South Island, but that could only be established when better times came. The railway deviations were progressing favorably, and absorbing a number of unemployed. Mr G. J. Errington, chairman of tho Railways Committee, said that the question of anomalies in fares and freights was now being gone into by the Government. A start had been made with the straightening of the Port Chalmers line. It was their endeavor to make the railways attractive to travellers, and to encourage tourist traffic. The*'motion was adopted without further discussion. ELECTION OP OFFICERS. The election of office-bearers resulted a.s follows: —President, Mr Chas. Todd ! (re-elected); vice-presidents —Messrs P. R. Sargood, S. B. Macdonald, and J. Bigns I Wright; hon. treasurer, Mr H. E. Wilson; secretary, Mr W. B. Steel; exoou-tive-Messrs Chas. Todd, P. R. Sargood, J Inriis Wright, S. B. Macdonald, H. E. Wilson, H. K. Wilkinson, B. B. Hooper, R. D. Poison, Wm. Black, J. Rhodes, E. Tamblyn, J. Loudon, C. E. Statham, T. K. Sicley, E. Ansoombo, D. Larnach, Jas. Kclleher, J. Robieson, G. J. Errington, Jas. Horn, C. H. Hayward, A. Hannah; country development—Messrs B. Tamblyn (chairman), Crosby Morris, F. Q. Dun- ' can, G. M. Marshall, Isaac Green, E. E. Clowes, R. T. Stewart, D. Tannock, Chas. Todd, F. W. Knight, G. M. Thomson, Jas. Kclleher, A. M'Kinnon, R. D. Poison, H. Turner; educational —Messrs S. B. Macdonald (chairman),. E. S. Green, E. Tamblyn, C. E. Statham, D. Larnach, R. D. Poison, R. B. Tennent, A. D. Edgar, T. Miller; railways —Messrs G. J. i Errington (chairman), A. M'Kinnon, Ja.s. i Kclleher, Rev. H. S. Bishop, J. Tait, R. j Young, ‘J. Ifobb, F. Mitchell, T. H. Har- ' ridge, J. M. Fraser, W. Morgan, J. M'Lachlan, W. Lunn, A. T. Robertson. COMPETITION RESULTS. I Mr W. 13. Steel, .secretary, reported tho results of the agricultural competition as follows: Miss Ivy Pearson (Beaumont School), 25 tons per acre, total cost £45 per acre, net profit £lll, 1; Miss Francos Johnson (Momona), 22.2 tons per acre, total cost £3l per acre, net profit £lO2, 2; J. R. Gall (Momona), 19.7 tons pea- acre, £l2 per acre, £lO6 profit, 3; D. Woodley (Hampden), 18.6 tons, £3O per acre, £Bl 12s profit,' 4. GENERAL.' Mr V. Jacobs brought up tho matter of the old Post Office, which building, he considered an “eyesore” and a disgrace to a town of the size of Dunedin. There were a large number of unemployed in tho town, and if they could get the Government to build a new post office it would absorb all that unemployment. It would not be unproductive work, as it had, to be done some time. He would like 'to see the league take the matter up and put it before the local members, and have it put on the Estimates. He would move a motion accordingly. The Chairman pointed out that tho league had been hammering at that subject for a number of years, but so far it had been unsuccessful.

Mr Inglis Wright enlarged on the wastefulness of the Government in keeping up the old post office, and was of opinion that a public meeting should be called to discuss the matter.

It was_ decided to put the position before the local' members of Parliament, and ask that the money for the new building be placed on the Estimates. Mr F. Duncan suggested that the way to the present post office be properly lighted. A vote of thanks to the City Council for the use of tho room concluded the meeting.