GREY PROGRESS LEAGUE

Greymouth Evening Star, 29 November 1926, Page 3

GREY PROGRESS LEAGUE

VISIT TO BARRYTOWN Yesterday the Country Organisation Committee of the Grey District Progress League visited Barrytown and addressed a large meeting of residents there. The party composed Messrs J. D. Wingham, D. M. Robertson, J. O’Brien, J. Crooks, H. Trouland, S. Oxenham and E. I. Lord 5 . After a delightful non-stop run (the roads being in perfect order), Barrytown was reached about noon, the party being met on arrival by Ryall, and shortly afterwards partook of dinner. The Messrs Dennehy having arrived meantime, they invited the party to inspect their flax mill and explained the method adopted in treating the green flax actually putting through a few blades to demonstrate the process (as the mill in run per medium of watei* power, there was no need to get up steam). This water power, by the way generates the electric light which pertains throughout the township. The meeting was held in Ryall’s Hall, and was well attended, representatives of the Punakaiki Farmers’ Union as well as residents of the district being present, -the greatest interest was displayed in the movement. Mr. Ryall was voted to the chair and he in welcoming the visitors, said the Progress League was the first Greymouth body who had realised that the prosperity of the town could only be brought about by the prosperity of the country, and with that idea had determined to link up the district as a whole. It is true Barrytown had in the past had to thank local bodies and individuals in Greymouth for support, but this was the first time an organised body had visited them. The Greymouth Chamber of Commerce, spurred by the activities of the Progress League had obtained a new lease of life; of this he was glad as that body could do much good work commercially but had not the scope, or as wide an outlook as the Progress League, which was to his idea the ideal body to forward the interests of the country districts. Mr. Robertson, who was received with applause, thanked them foi' their welcome. He could assure them the G.D.P.L. was out for the good of all. It had been asked what could the League do? He would tell them what the League had already done, alter being in existence but one month. They had first of all realised that there was no publicity given to the district as a scenic resort and in this connection the League had compiled a hand-book, which was now in the hands of the printers and which would be distributed free to all tourist offices throughout the Dominion. He could assure them the production would be a credit to all concerned. They would open an office in town during the holiday season for the purpose of arranging for parties of visitors to visit beauty spots. They had written 300 letters to wholesale houses throughout the Dominion who do business in the district, pointing out our possibilities and they were to-day at the first meeting of an organised effort to link up the country. Surely these things spoke for themselves. He then outlined the aims and objects of the League being accorded a fine hearing. Mr. J. D. Wingham said that he had perhaps the best chance of all of gauging the possibilities of building

CT —— c — A- — «-» up a huge tourist traffic. He was. sure that it was only publicity they wanted, to have thousands of people pouring into the scenic wonderland. Last year representatives of Messrs Thomas Cook and Son stayed with r him over the week end. Their mission e was to view local beauty spots with •_ a -view to recommending the same to n tourists. In Hokitika the Progress League had met Cook’s people and _ had shown them round. He (Winge ham) had got in touch with the powt ers that be in Greymouth and had Q explained the importance of the visit v of such visitors, but nothing had been done and over a gloriously fine j week end they had remained in the s hotel, simply because there was no f body existent whose duty it was to 2 show them round. This would be the j business of the League among other _ things. t Mr. J. OBrien said that he was _ sure the League would make good and there was much for it to do, for this part of the Dominion had been so j neglected of recent years by the Go--2 vernments of the day, that such a body ( was badly‘needed to voice in no un- , certain manner the wants of the dis- [ trict. In numbers there was strength t and if the whole of the district from t Taramakau to Barrytown were behind . their two M’s P. then Ministers would be forced to listen and consider fav- ’ ourably their demands. Until the » League came into being, there was , no body on the Coast who could speak ( with one voice for all industries. When the country tour was complet- ’ ed the League would be in this position, for every farming centre, mining town and sawmilling site , be visited and if possible linked up. He was sure then that the Coast would become a humming hive of industry.

The Chairman asked for questions but none being forthcoming Mr. Onley thanked the party for their attendance. The farmers were indeed grateful for the visit. He would suggest that all the Farmers’ Unions (of which there were thirteen branches) should be approached. He was sure they would all affiliate. The Punakaiki Union would meet in a few days’ time when he would have much pleasure in reporting to them the fine ideals of the League. In Canterbury, the Chamber of Commerce and the Progress League were organised by the same man and this proved to be a great success. He was of the opinion the same thing could be done here. He agreed that Greymouth would prosper with the advancement of its country districts and welcomed the advent of the League as a means of bringing this about. Mr. Dennehy welcomed the League as a movement which showed the district was now awake to its possibilities. He would suggest that Mr. Lord the organiser, write to the Farmers’ Union asking them to afliliate, this, he was- confident they would do as the movement had their sympathetic support. Mr. Wylde (acting President of the Farmers’ Union) thanked the League for their visit. He was sure the Union would affiliate as members recognised the aims of the League filled a longfelt want. Personally he was with the movement and would do all he could for its furtherance. Mr. Ryall moved a vote of thanks to the League which was carried by acclamation. Mr. Robertson returned thanks and moved a vote of thanks to the chairman.