PROGRESS LEAGUE

Grey River Argus, 28 September 1944, Page 2

PROGRESS LEAGUE

MEETING AT GREYMOUTH At the meeting of the Council of th-e Westland District Progress League on Tuesday evening, Mr. J. B. Bluett presided in the absence of the president, Mr. W. D., Taylor. Mr. E. F. Chivers reported on a meeting held at Hokitika in an effort to secure the affiliation of residents of that town, stating that though the attendance had been small, thouse present ■expressed themselves -fully in accord with the movement and would link up with it. 'The following correspondence was received in connection with the Council’s deep sea harbour proposals. From Auckland Harbour Board expressing grave concern at delays experienced by vessels trading to the West Coast ports and urging the fun-* cst possible investigation to secure means of ’ permanently overcoming the situation; Auckland Tracies Council offering support, and advising it had requested the Government to investigate the possibilities of. establishing an all weather, deep-sea harbour on the West Coast immediately.

The Westland Timber WorkersUnion applied for affiliation, enclosing 10s fid. Hon. J. O’Brien advised that ho was conferring with Hon. P. C. Webb, Minister of Mines, on the utilisation, of waste and inferior coal.—Referred to Mining and Related Trades’ Committee. Traffic Inspector J. A. Ramsay, of Greymouth advised in connection with the .League’s portest about the allegedly unsatisfactory Sunday and evening taxi service, at Greymoutn, that the No. Three Licensing Autnority had expressed the opinion that the Greymouth Taxi Service now ap-

pears to be satisfactory.—lt was decided to request the authority to reply to the Council’s suggestion that two citizens and the Traffic Inspector be included on the Taxi Control Committee.

5 The Director of Housing Construction, Mr. A. W. Albertson, replying to' the League’s representations, stated , that invariably the Department put- ’ in hand reading and sewerage con- ’ struction as soon as practicable. However, it sometimes jvas expedient io build first on existing road frontages . and leave the development of tne i block for a more opportune movei ment. In reply to the League’s ’ re- ; commendation of erection of blocks of flats suitable for young married couples, it was stated that this was contrary to Government policy, having an undesirable tendency to lower the birthrate. The Government had decided to build family houses in preference to flats—Referred back to Housing Committee. The Industries and Commerce committee recommended: (1) That the Forestry Committee be invited to confer with this committee to investigate the establishment of a dresI sing and kiln drying plant for tne treatment of timber prior to export 1 , and the construction of a box making plant to be operated in conjunction with same.—Approved. (2) That, it he a recommendation to. the Council that a request be made to the Mines Department that they supply information to the. League of any available natural deposits of. economic impor--1 tance existing on the West Coast, other than coal or gold.—Approved. (3) That it be a recommendation to the Council . that, in view of the shortage of industrial raw materials I and essential manufacturing supplies, the Government be urged to remove the import restrictions on goods and raw material essential to the maintenance and rehabilitation of secondary industries in New Zealand.— Referred back to the committee. (41 j That the Greymouth Borough Council be requested to investigate the extraction of the by-products available from the manufacture of gas, with a view to the total utilisation of the coal used in its manufacture.— Approved. The. following recommendations were made by the Youth Committee: —(1) That the Council give serious consideration to approaching the Greymouth. Borough Council to ootiain and put in order the ’ following sections to be used as children’s playing areas: Section, Petrie Avenue; Recreation Ground;. Karoro Railway Settlement; Section in Alexander Street; Some central site in Cobden to be selected by the Borough Council; and that McLean Park in Blaketown be put back into suitable condition for a playing area.—Approved That the Council be asked to endeavour .to obtain representation at the Education Conference to be held at Christchurch on October 24 to 2& the conference, ar r - ranged by the Minister of Education , primarily to ascertain public opinion on aspects of education that concern , the country as a whole, having allow- i ed for no rep.resentatation from the i (

West Coast. —It was decided to write the Minister requesting the invitation of a delegate. It was decided to hold a general meeting of the League early, in October, the Executive .to decide the date. '' ‘ ‘‘