EXPANSION LEAGUE’S YEAR

Evening Star, Issue 19001, 24 July 1925, Page 2

EXPANSION LEAGUE’S YEAR

MANY THINGS ACCOMPLISHED THE ANNUAL REPORT The annual report of the Otago Expansion League is a fine record of good work done or being dono. From a local point of view (the executive states) the most important matter of the year was the completion of tho duplication of the northern railway line to Rnvensbounic. The inauguration of the work was one of the earliest tasks undertaken by the League’s Railway Committee, and through good report and evil it has stuck steadily to the task. Tho inevitable pessimist at the commencement of tho agitation declared that such a work was not required, that there was no need for it from a traffic point of view; ami many of these same detractors, men of light and leading in tho city, advised tho abandonment of the project. But tho cheery optimism of the .Railways Committee has been justified by the event, and not a little of the success of tho Exhibition, and certainly all the success of' the highway, is duo to its efforts. For 'without tho completion of this much-dis-cussed deviation the approach fo tho Exhibition would have been sadly curtailed, and the persistence of the league’s representations proves once more that a few cheery optimists who can hold on arc worth more to their town and their cause than a score of more distinguished pessimists who will lot go. The bringing down of the famous eight years’ schedule of work by tho Minister of Railways early in last year raised a storm of protest when it was found that no provision had been made there for tho continuance . of_ Die straightening and duplication of the Port line. It was simply uulhimcabie that this absolutely-essential work for Dunedin should bo held in abeyance for eight years, and prompt steps were taken to counteract tho proposals. .Ministers and members of Parliament were instantly communicated with, and pointed resolutions of protest were passed and forwarded to the authorities. At first tho result was not too hopeful, hut a persistence in the demands brought the Hon. W. Downio Stewart from "Wellington, when a representative deputation organised by tiie league met him and made such representations that the Hon. Minister, after communicating with nis iolleagues, gave tho league the assurance that the duplication would bo carried <tf. least to Burkes. This promise h as since been repeated and reiterated by the Minister of Railways, and the preliminary steps are now being taken to proceed with this essential work. A marked and badly-nocdcd improvement in the northern suburban service will be rendered possible by tho luHilmoni of 1 his promise. Tho completion of the Lawroivc lino to Roxburgh, which has termed the text of many requests and Lopes and fears for all the years of tho league’s existence, is now authorised, so d the fruitgrowers of the Toviot district may confidently look forward next year to the fulfilment of the promise made by tho late Right Hon. R. J. .Section when he turned the first sod of that railway extension: “Tho day is uw.t far distant when the railway shall carry your golden fruit to an eagerly-awaiting market.” This will complete the railway needs of that portion of the Molyiicnx Valley, and permit the league to concentrate on the needs of tho Upper Clutha Valley and tho deviation and duplication of the Port Chalmers section. The Taicri branch of the league has a railway problem of its ow n to which some attention must bo directed during the coming year—viz . the possibility of getting tiie suburban service deliocted to Mosgiel townsmp instead of to Mosgiel .Junction. This improvement—or so it seems to the leaguedoes not, however, meet with lavor at tiie hands of tiie railway authorities, and it is evident that continued pressure must- be exerted in order to secure what should be an improved and more satisfactory service. FRUIT CONTROL. During iast session of Parliament a Fruit Control Bill was introduced, giving authority to cvcuto a I'ruit Coiuro! Board with power of control over the sale of fruit in local markets, as noli as tho control of shipment and sale overseas. Under this proposed sy.-aem nil fruit was to bo marketed abroad as New Zealand fruit, and the growci avid district were to he eliminated. Although not specifically stated m tiie measure, the powers granted note so largo that a system of pooling comd easily bo adopted. The local fruitgrowers were opposed to the measure becoming law in the iorm in which uwas brought down, asserting that as it stood it was a hardship to Otago; hut they did not desire to si aml in the light of any other province when tho orchardists might desire such a measure. They therefore asked for amendments to 'be inserted, giving districts the right of being declared out op the provisions of tho Bill by _ :ii petition signed by a definite majority ol those interested. At tho request ol the Provincial Fruitgrowers’ Council; the league assisted in putting these views pointedly before Parliament, and with tho assistance of other societies and the local members _of Parliament was finally successful in securing amendments of tho Bill on tho lines indicated, ft is gratifying to report that tho action taken W the league was endorsed hv the orchardists of Otago, who successfully* petitioned to ho kept outside the scope of the measures which were finally passed by Parliament. The effect of tho Act will be watched with interest. HTGHWAY S.

Tlie question of the main highways lias exercised the minds of the local bodies in Otago during the year, and tlio consensus of opinion is that tlie burden thrown by the administration of the Act is too heavy on the local funds. The contention that the counties were receiving money from the ■ Highways Board t'hov did "not previously receive, and that‘this therefore was in the nature of a windfall, does not appeal to the local authorities. Their retort is that the amount of foreign traffic over their roads is so great that not only the motorists, hut the Central Government, should hear _ a portion of the cost. Hoads arc a national necessity, a transport necessity, and a local necessity, and the cost of creation and upkeep should ho borne by these three interested parties. In conjunction with (lie Otago Motor Club, an organisation wliich has rendered yeoman service to tlie community, tins -phase of the case was most strongly pressed upon too Highways Board in connection with the county of Viaikonaiti, and the claim was made that the Main North road from the Dunedin boundary to Merlon should bo made a Government road. Oniio a brisk agitation was rrealed on (be subject, and after much wordy warfare and the promise of a donation of £OOO from the 01 aero Motor Club, the board agreed to lake over the section fmm Dunedin io Waitnti, leaving the Waikonaiti County Council to maintain lUe balance el the Mam road within their boundary. When the Highways Rill war, before Parliament, the league, as well as most other South Island ast;..ms. -M-M'- rd lor two boards—one for each island; hut the proposal does not so far meet with favor man the Highways Board. However, it will not first improvement wliich has eventually been granted after being refused many times, and if the league slid adheres to its policy and asks persistently and pertinently enough it will eventually secure the improvement it desires.

DUNEDIN HIGHWAY. Closely associated with tho question of rural road facilities was the proposal to construct a highway along the line of tho disused railway to Pcliohot Bay, thence across the Leith, and ending opposite tho main entrance of the Exhibition in Union street. As the league was primarily responsible for the deviation of tho railway which made such a thoroughfare possible, it naturally took a keen interest in the inception and carrying out of tho preliminary tasks inseparable from such an undertaking. Tin’s consisted in securing the good offices of the Otago Harbor Hoard and the Dunedin City Council, in meeting these bodies separately and in conference, and in carrying out tho_publicity campaign which created the public demand for the improvement. Patience, tact, enthusiasm, and pure doggedness wore the qualities called for, and after many vicissitudes the ratepayers were called upon to vote for a loan covering the cost of construction. Into this work tho league threw its whole weight, and, assisted by sports bodies, other associations, and public-spirited citizens, it finally triumphed, and the loan was carried. The opening of the railway deviation gave the land necessary for action to the council, whose engineer had made a start from the Exhibition end of the big work; and, barring accidents at present unforeseen, the broad highway should ho ready for public uso when, the Exhibition is opened. THE NITRATE VENTURE. Tho project for nitrate manufacture at Milford Sound, which has been discussed academically for tho past ten years, was brought prominently to the forefront during the past year by tho action of the syndicate which has tho matter in hand in applying for a license and an Order in Council empowering it to utilise the water of the Bowen Falls for the purpose of generating electric power to bo employed in the manufacture of nitrates. When this project was first mooted tho league took the attitude of opposition, believing that such an industry would bo detrimental to the tourist traffic and mar to some extent the beauty of the Sound, . . , but ultimately decided that It would not oppose the granting of the license under snleguarding conditions stated. They bold that a coimtiy of tho size anil population of New' Zealand could not a fiord to jock up such a vast territory; that the interests of tho community demanded that every available asset should lie utilised lor the common good; and that the erection of the factory and tho creation of a new industry would not spoil Milford Sound as a scenic attraction.

IRRIGATION. TJto progress of this work in the Central Otago district has gone on steadily during the year, and the Chatto Creek works have materially assisted the local settlers during the last summer. The advantages or water on these thirsty lands have to bo seen to he adequately appreciated, and the steady work of the Public Works Department is to bo commended. During tho previous year the league had, by taking an interest in the Arrowtown district and organising the farmers there, succeeded in getting the necessary signatures to the petition for irrigation on their holdings. After these preliminary movements had been safely negotiated tho department went into tho whole scheme, and it, was finally adopted. A party of surveyors are making the necessary dose scrutiny of the area, and the plans are being prepared from the data accumulated. There is every reason to believe that the actual work of the water of the Arrow River for irrigation purposes will be undertaken in tho spring, and the completion of this section will add another lovely stretch of country to the everincreasing sections where the wilderness is made to blossom like the rose. Tho big Manuherikia scheme is also well advanced, and next season should see this work also begun; but it will bo a. few years before tho full value of this gigantic undertaking becomes apparent. In the meantime the league is gratified to report tho progress made, and to express the hope that, although tho Hon. J. G. Coates has added tho cares of tho Prime Ministership to his other manifold duties, he will not lightly desert his first love of tho Public Works nor the splendid service he is rendering to Otago in pushing forward this great irrigation. ; roJU ' TOURIST TRAFFIC.

The promotion of the tourist traffic, ono of the main planks in the 'engue’s platform, does not show the results hoped for from our ambitious scheme!;. The fact that this portion of the dominion contains so many attractive spots, and can cater for so many varied tastes docs not seem to attract the ordinary citizen or the globe-trotting traveller in the manner and in the numbers that it should. Year by year the league expends money on loKlers and booklets illustrating and describing the beauties and attractions of the province, and those aro sent tar and wide in an endeavor to attract ihiincr flic golden stream of travel. So far the cud docs not justify the moans. It is rather a reflection on our boast oil up-to-dateness that these unrivalled assets are not moro widely known and more eagerly appreciated. ’With such object-lessons as Switzerland and Honolulu before our eyes, our rulers have been slow to appreciate the value in cash of such a well-thought-out and allembracing system of advertising. Vi hen representations have been m ado to the powers that be wc are always assured that all is being done that can bo done, as so much money is required to assist the primary industries; as if catering for the tourist wore not tho most profitable of all our industries, for it is the only one in which we can “eat our cake and have it.” Wool, meat, butter, cheese are prime articles of export, and from these we derive the major portion of our revenue; but when you bare sold those they are gone, and no more can bo raised till next season. With scenery, you can sell it to-day to one visitor and to-mor-row to ten and next month to a hundred, and it is still there to bo sold afresh. Every visitor who comes to these shores brings money with him, and ho has to ho housed, and' fed, and transported, so that little of hia money remains when ho leaves our shores. And in this connection there is a danger that the stream of overseas tourists may ho easily deflected from the South Island, at least by two causes. One is the uncertainty of steamer communication with Australia, and the other the lack of really good hotel accommodation at tourist resorts. The change in policy of the Union Steam Ship Company, which ban concentrated the Australian service in Wellington and Auckland, was a great factor in diminishing the number of visitors to the southern lakes and mountains. Efforts have been made to improve the service by a more frequent sailing between Lyttelton, Dunedin, Dlult, and Melbourne; but from a variety of reasons this route is not patronised as it should bo. A weekly service is the ideal one, and tho nearest wo have reached to that is one every ton days, provided always that the maritime workers in Austruia. aro prepared to let the boat ■; r.i I'l,-;. uncertainty had a most detriuieimal dfoct last summer on the nun-dvr .1' visitors arriving, and it is to tv? lx,-:! i hat by next; t ourist season ni end Mill he put lo the pr<-vm. wasteful, and unprofitable strife. The advent of the Exhibition should bring a number of extra visitors to our shore, and that effort will be made to induce therh to see some at least of our glories of mountain and lake and river ere they depart. Hie question of accommodation is a big one, and many visitors to the interior come bach wn u anything but praise for the hotel service. It is a regrettable but unassailable fact, however, that the comforts ol visitors is not catered for to-day as it was in the past. True, there are notable exceptions, but in many cases the house is not; as well fitted or as 1 comfortable it used to be, and

tourists who are willing to spend money freely for good entertainment cannot be supplied. These complaints are not made to the league alone. They are common knowledge, and if_ the hotelkeepers are desirous of boating on that tidy which leads to fortune they must bestir themselves and he able to take advantage of that. lido. The league will neisevere with its efforts to induce people to como here, ft is for those who hove the business in hand to see that they are not only catklied when the,’ do conic, hut rial they go away regretfully, only to come back again and bring their friends.