EXPANSION LEAGUE

Evening Star, Issue 20472, 1 May 1930, Page 16

EXPANSION LEAGUE

EXECUTIVE MEETING Mr G. J. Erring ton presided at a meeting of the Executive Committee of the Otago Expansion League, hold on Tuesday evening. Mr P. 11. Sargood, vice-president, wrote thanking the committee for extended leave of absence and good wishes prior to his visit to England. Echoes of the Exhibition were awakened by a letter from the Tasmanian Tourist Bureau, which is charged with tho erection of a Tasmanian court at ■an exhibition to bo hold shortly in Brisbane. A Now Zealander had informed it that tho Otago court was a model to follow, arid a request was made for particulars and photographs. These had been duly forwarded by the secretary, whoso action was approved.

Mr Eric James wrote announcing that ho was arranging a trip from Martin’s Bay to Milford, the object being to discover if possible a route for a trade to Milford Sound from the north. The expedition would be a purely exploring one, and would consist of men accustomed to such work as well as photographers to record tho scenic charms of this all but unknown locality.—An intention was expressed to request Mr James to give a lecture illustrated with the new photographs on his return.

The question of a guide_ book to the city and province was again considered in the light of the replies received from kindred societies whose opinions had been solicited. It was resolved that the matter should be held over in the meantime, as the present was not deemed an opportune time for its inception. A similar resolution was passed in regard to the policy of advertising in northern publications the attractions and resorts of Otago. The Department of Industries and Commerce notified that Mr J. L. Schmidt, the recently-appointed Commissioner of Trades and Tourists in Australia, would be visiting Dunedin, and would be pleased to meet members of the executive. As tho league is especially interested in the tourist traffic and the extension of the Mel-bourne-Bluff steamer service, the opportunity will be taken to acquaint the commissioner with its desires and aspirations. The Native Bird Protection Society wrote inviting tho league to be represented in Christchurch at - a forthcoming conference on tho question of the control of tho wild life of the dominion. Unfortunately, it could not ho arranged for a representative to attend, but the good wishes of the league go with the society in its desire for unity of control.

Regarding the proposed manufacture of nitrates in tho Sounds, with which the league has been actively associated since its inception, and the published statement that an American syndicate is in all probability to secure the rights of manufacture, the league strongly advocated the retention of these great assets in the Empire, and regretted that a previous application to the Government for support along these lines was not accepted. It was decided to submit tho proposals to the authorities. Preliminary arrangements were made for the pre-sessiona 1 meeting with the local members of Parliament on Tuesday, June 10, and the list or invitations and subjects to bo presented arranged. __________