PROGRESS LEAGUE

Greymouth Evening Star, 8 November 1944, Page 3

PROGRESS LEAGUE

MEETING OF COUNCIL.

The Council of the Westland District Progress League met last evening for the first time for a month, Mr. W D. Taylor presiding. The usual wide variety of business was handled. The Brunnei- Mine Workers’ Union and Runanga Miners’ Union advised that representations had been made to the Prime Minister with regard to the pressing need for a deep-sea harbour on the Coast. The Wellington Trades Council said that it had referred the matter to the national executive for representation to the Government. The Patea Harbour Board stated it had given unanimous support to the League’s representa10Th’e Director of Housing Construction intimated that the area of outbuildings and toolsheds could not be increased for State houses, as it was the policy to provide every amenity to as high a standard as possible consistent with cost, but this factor limited the Department’s and tenants’ desires in many aspects of the housing scheme. —Referred to Housing Committee. The Chief Postmaster (Mr. M. R. Aldridge) advised that there were not any bracket type clocks available for installation at the Chief Post Office.—Referred to Mr. T. Blackie and the secretary to make inquiries. T . Mr E. L. Morgan, Lake Brunner Hotel, Kumara, solicited the support of the League in having a telephone installed at his hotel, as it would be of advantage to the district generally. All urgent messages had to be taken eight miles to the nearest telephone. —The Communications Committee recommended that Mr. Morgan make application for a private line. 'The Department of Industries and Commerce wrote stating that the Department was sympathetic to any schemes to encourage or improve travel in Westland, but from the information received from the Public Works Department, it thought the League would agree it was a little premature to proceed with any of the works outlined. It suggested that the whole matter of access to scenic reserves be raised at a more appropriate time.—The Tourist Committee recommended that a letter of protest be sent and that an allocation should be made for the district from the recent large vote in Parliament. Areply along these lines is to be forwarded. „ , The appointment of two representatives of business interests on the local Oil Fuel Advisory Committee, as recommended by the League, was still being investigated by the Dominion Controller, stated the District Controller (Mr. M. R. Aldridge). His decision would be communicated as soon as it was available. PRICE OF GOLD. Replying to a recent letter from the League relative to the price of gold, the Minister of Mines (Mr. Webb) stated that respective rates of duty were: Australia, one hall of the amount by which the price per ounce exceeds £9. New Zecilund, 12/6 pei ounce under the Customs Act Amendment Act 1932-33, and 75 per cent, of the amount by which the price per ounce in London exceeds £9 a/b (Customs Act Amendment Act, 1939). At present the 1939 duty was fixed at 18/3 an ounce, so that with gold at £lO 9/- per ounce, the respective net prices to the producers were: Australia, price, £lO 9/-: duty, 14/6; price, £9 14/6. New Zealand price, £lO 9/-; duty, £1 10/9; price, £8 18/3. Neither figure was the final realisation to producers, because charges for assaying, freight, insurance and bank services had io be denuded. the difference in price was due to Ihe differing systems of taxation, The amount of the duty had been seriously considered many times m the past few years by the Minister, of Finance and the Government, but it had been found impossible to make any alteration in the general policy.—Referred to Mining Committee. ' The Karoro Ratepayers and Citizens’ Association forwarded affiliation fee of 10/6 and appointed Mr. T. G. Jamieson as representative. The Kotomanu Branch of the Farmers Union forwarded a similar donation, as did the Kumara Borough Council and the Greymouth Amateur Athletic Club. The Master Grocers Association intimated that it had been decided not to accept membership, but that all members would be encouraged to join individually. Mr. M. R. Aldridge expressed thanks for the appreciation conveyed to him for his services as Chairman of the Transport and Communications Committee. . The Minister of Marine (Mr. O'Brien) advised that the Minister of Defence had furnished a report that the proposal to construct an aerodrome at Kumara was not justifiable at the present time (already published). COMMITTEE REMITS.

The Industries and Commerce Committee tabled the following remits: — That it be a recommendation that, in view of the possibility of epidemics following' the demobilisation of the armed forces from overseas, representations be made to the Health Department requesting the enforcement of the use of suitable wrapping to be used on’ all foodstuffs, particularly bread and meat. —Decided to approach Greymouth Master Bakers and Butchers’ Associations. That the Council investigate the possibility and desirability of the General Industries an 4 Commer.ce Committee affiliating with the Canterbury Chamber of Commerce for the purpose of acquiring information of interest to the business community. —Referred back to the Commi That Mr. F. Donnehy advised he had discussed with Mr. J. W. Hannan deposits of greenstone on the Coast. In his opinion the opening up of serpentine marble used lor building purposes, was too expensive at present. —Decided to leave matter in Mining and Related Industries Committee tabled the following reSt? “That the Minister of Mines be requested to obtain all possible information relative, to the working of small creek deposits ol alluvial gold by mechanical means, according to modern practice, as practised in Am .- rica and. Canada.’ Appr °ved. On the suggestion of the Communications Committee, it was decided to interview Kennedy Bros, seeking an impro vein ent of the bus !..eivice to Paroa. , ~ It was decided to recommend to the Post Office authorities, that m dor lorries not use the Tainui Street entrance into the yard- for exit, out leave via Guinness Street, members commenting on the danger to pedestrian traffic.