The Magazine Page WESTLAND PROGRESS LEAGUE

Grey River Argus, 1 July 1944, Page 7

The Magazine Page

WESTLAND PROGRESS LEAGUE

ISSUED BY A TRADE UNION EDITORIAL BOARD.

An organisation known as the Westland District Propress League has been formed ,with headquarters in Greymouth. Its aims are, briefly, to advance the economic and social interests of the community within the area, of its operation Judging’ bv the enthusiasm displayed by its large foundation membership .* will not be long before the organisation makes its presence felt and secures results which will fully justify its existence.

Certainly, the League will find plenty of scope for activity for the district of Westland lags far behind most other parts of New Zealand in quite a number of important respects Probably the most outstanding deficiency of Westiand is the lack of a deep-sea harbour. And upon the. provision of a deep-sea harbour—a harbour which can be used at all times irrespective of weather conditions—depends, to a tremendous extent the future economic development of the district. The progress League recognises this fact, and the task of prevailing upon the authorities to undertake the construction of such a harbour has been given number one priority.

Westland has no secondary industries of any importance, despite the fact that it possesses huge resources of. basicraw materials in the shape of coal and timber, as well as possessing numerous waterways which could be harnessed to provide any amount of cheap electric power.

Parts of the district feel keenly .the shortage of housing accommodation —more particularly for the lower-ineomed working people. Slum dwellings, a menace to the health of the whole community, as well as being an eyesore, are plentifully scattered in the two larger towns. Their removal is a necessity which can be facilitated only by the building of a sufficient number of new and decent houses.

Parks, sports grounds, and playing areas for children, are all insufficient to meet the needs of the population. (Joinpared to. other districts in the Dominion they are, in fact quite paltry both in size and in number.

For the youth of the district little worthwhile, effort has yet been made to establish facilities by means of which they can indulge in organised cultural, educational, and recreational activities during their leisure hours.

It is to (such matters the Westland Progress League in-

tends to give its attention. That being the case the organisation merits the whole-hearted support of the residents of the district, of the trade union movement, of business firms, of sporting bodies, of local bodies, and of all other organisations.