EXPANSION LEAGUE

Evening Star, Issue 23099, 27 October 1938, Page 7

EXPANSION LEAGUE

MONTHLY MEETING The monthly meeting of the Executive Committee of the Otago Expansion League was held - on Tuesday evening, the president (Mr H. M. Mackay) presiding. Members present were: Messrs W. A Scott. A. Smiley, A. Clark, H. Howley. R. G. Sincock, C. A. Wilson, J. Inglis Wright, T. Scollay, A. Smith, R. Stewart, J. Adam, and W. G. Baird. Correspondence was read from Mr G. J. Errington, who at the time of writing was visiting Budapest, the capital of Hungary, and he wrote in terms of great praise of the attractions of the country and the methods of attracting and interesting visitors. An interesting letter from Mr J. Leishman, the London representative of the Tourist Department, giving particulars of intending visitors to the City and conveying greetings to members to whom he; is personally known, was received with pleasure.

In connection with this and another letter bearing on the subject of the reception of visitors, Mr R. G. Sincock, the Government tourist officer in Dunedin, gave a brief but illuminating description of the methods adopted by the department to facilitate the landing of visitors and the arrangement .of tours, accommodation, etc. A vote of thanks to Mr Sincock for his exposition and of confidence in the work of his department was carried.

The president, who recently visited Australia, handed in a report of his activities there, making especially favourable comments oh the work of the Tourist Department officers, both in Sydney and in Melbourne. ‘ In the face of keen competition from the tourist officers of the six Australian States, our representatives were, he said, doing a wonderful work in diverting a portion of the great stream of overseas visitors to Australia over to New Zealand. Mr Mackay said that much yet remained to be done here to make visits to New Zealand more attractive, especially in the matter of hotel accommodation at tourist centres.

In this connection he said “ I was pleased to note that the subject had been fare ached at the annual meeting of the league, and it should be followed up, and he suggested that at its next monthly meeting the executive should go more fully into the subject of the redistribution of hotel licences in connection with scenic and health resorts.

Notice was received from the South Island Travel Association of the annual meeting early in November. and the president was appointed as the league’s delegate. At the invitation of the president. Mr Mackay, who is vice-president of the Omakau Progress League, addressed the meeting on Central Otago affairs He carried his hearers back to the early days when the league had sponsored the HaweaWanaka election scheme, and informed the members that Central Otago was looking again for them to take up this proposition. He said that the other power schemes had reached their zenith, and to meet the constantly increasing demand an effort should be made to utilise what everyone who had seen it declared to be the best and most economical power scheme in the Dominion. The advantage of another major plant being linked up with the South Island Main Trunk distributing line was stressed, and the advantages

which such an additional source of supply at the back door next to Dunedin would give were portrayed.

At the close of his address Mr Mackay was warmly thanked and it was resolved that the League would at-its next meeting go into the question and make its representation in the proper quarters.

A general discussion on the Centennial Memorial project followed, and having reviewed the proposals made, the executive decided that the decision having been left to the Executive Committee of the Centennial in Dunedin, upon which they were represented, the choice of the most fitting memorial could safely be left in its hands. ,