PROGRESS LEAGUE.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17861, 6 August 1918, Page 5

PROGRESS LEAGUE.

DISCUSSION AT WOOLSTON BOROUGH COUNCIL. SUBSIDY GRANTED. At a meeting of the Woolstan Borough Council last evening a discussion took place regarding tho advisability of assisting financially tho Canterbury Progress League. The subject was brought up in tho report of tho finance Committee, which referred the matter of paying a levy of £ll 10s asked by tho league to the full council. Councillor D. M'Rao said that he wanted to see Canterbury go ahead, but considering the war conditions, he did not think it was an opportune time for paying out money. People were asked to pay money tor war funds, the. Charitable Aid Board levy had increased, and he considered the ratepayers had enough to pay. Councillor L. Hart said that he had noticed the other councils had paid at least part 'of their quota. The league would benefit Woolston as well as Canterbury and ho thought the league s'hould be launched now. He did not think there was a council that had turned tho league's proposal down. Ho moved that £5 should be voted-, Councillor D. Rowse, in seconding tho motion, said that he was heartily in accord with the remarks of the previous speaker. Councillor G. S. White said that he considered there were too many leagues. Ho thought that it was only affording positions to secretaries. For instance, there was the Canal League, of which no one heard very much. He thought that if they voted anything they should vote tho whole levy, but he considered that it was an inopportune time to vote money. The Mayor (Mr McGregor Wright) said that the Progress League, by its constitution embraced all leagues and would bo a league of leagues. It was constituted for the advancement of Canterbury in all activities of the province.

Councillor Johns: Then the other leagues would not ask us for levies The Mayor: No, I think not.

Councillor J. 0. Hobson said that although he thought) the time was inopportune for the payment of the levy lie did not think they should begrudge tho money for a league that was intended for the general advancement of Canterbury. The Mayor said all that it was nropost'd to give was under 3d in £IOOO capital value. New Brighton had voted £5 5% and Sumner the full amount, £l3. It wa3 intended that each board' and council should have a local branch of the league, and these branches would refer their requirements to the central executive, which would consider whether the request was for the advancement of Canterbury. Councillors were ouito right in considering the financial sido of the question at this time, but after all the amount proposed to be voted was not laree. The motion was carried on the voices.

LYTTELTON QUOTA GRANTED. Messrs C. T. Aschman and J. R. Beanland waited on the Lyttelton Borough Council last evening as a deputation from the Canterbury Progress League, # to explain the aims and objects of the new organisation and solicit a subsidy from the council. Both speakers explained in full the proposed work of the league and it was stated that the quota asked for from the council was £lo. At tho conclusion of their statement the visitors were thanked te Councillor M. J. Miller on behalf or tho council. After a short discussion it' was resolved to contribute tho council's quota, to the league funds.

RICCARTON APPOINT*! MEMBER 'ON LEAGUE EXECUTIVE.

A deputation representing tho Canterbury Progress League, consisting of Messrs L\ Birks and E. J.. Howard, waited on the Riocarton Borough Council last evening. Tho members of the deputation addressed the council at some length, placing before it particulars of the"objects for which the league had been formed, and < urging tho council to como into line with tho various other local bodies, which bad, oromised to assist the league by subsidies. After tho deputation, had withdrawn the matter was discussed by the council, and a resolution was unanimously adopted endorsing tho objects of tho league.

It was decided that the council should appoint a representative to sit on the executive and Mr A» E. S+f**ro was appointed to the position. With regard to the question of financial assistance it was decided that.the matter •should' bo considered' when the estimates were under review.