ADVANCING THE DISTRICT

Manawatu Standard, Volume LII, Issue 258, 30 September 1932, Page 3

ADVANCING THE DISTRICT

TOWN AND COUNTRY INTERESTS. PROGRESS LEAGUE TO BE FORMED. The Citizens’ Show Committee, at a meeting held last night, decided to approve of the proposal for the formation of a Progress League, or some similar organisation, for the purpose of dealing with matters having for their object the advancement of the town and district. ■’ Mr V. T. Dibble, who presided, said that the suggestion had been made that a Civic or Progress League bo formed to co-ordinate the work of the various committees appointed to deal with matters of interest to the district. The object was for the Youth Welfare Committee, the Manawatu Employment Development Committee, and tlie Citizens’ Show Committee to combine, and to have a central committee of business and professional men. Tho intention was to charge a membership fee, to take a permanent office, and to engage a permanent secretary or organiser. Mr W. G. Black said the Employment Development League had accomplished the purpose for which it was set mi —to draw attention to the No. 10 scheme. It was desired now that there should bo some central organisation as the personnel of many of tlie existing bodies was similar. There seemed to be no reason why a place that had gone ahead like Palmerston North should not have some organisation to carry out anything for the welfare of tho town and the whole of the Manawatu. It was now suggested that a Progress League be formed. The present committees could combine, temporary officers and an organiser could be appointed, and they could then ask the public to support tho movement by membership. The Chamber of Commerce supported the proposal and it was proposed to call a public meeting. AH would recognise the necessity for an organisation that could work in the interests of Palmerston North. It was felt that they had lacked such an organisation in the past and that opportunities for advancing tho city had been lost. He knew of one large firm that would come to Palmerston North subject to certain conditions, and the more industries they could bring to the city the better it would bo for the community. Fie hoped they would favourably consider tho formation of the nucleus of an organisation which when set up could appoint sub-com-mittces. In addition, it could have a wider outlook for those things that would promote the welfare of tlie district. It had been suggested that the Chamber of Commerce could undertake tlie work, but this body _ was limited to tho commercial activities in the city. The organisation proposed could deal with all phases in the interests of tho city and the Manawatu district.

Mr H. E. Townslicnd said the object was a very desirable one. All the committees had the one object in view and the bettor they were organised the better they could help the whole district. They could not do better than merge into one organisation as Mr Black suggested. Mr A. Clark said that more good could be done if the committees combined. They had the best city in New Zealand, and lie felt sure that, if tlie organisation suggested was formed, its success was assured. Mr A. Hopwood stated that when lie was in America five years ago he came in contact with many organisations that were doing good work in helping to “boost” their towns. was work to do in many directions in Palmerston North.

Mr T. It. Hodder, in saying that the idea appealed to him, recalled the fact that good work had formerly been done in Palmerston North by the Beautifying Society in having tho Square gardens and the Esplanade improved. They seemed to have a multiplicity of committees, and if they could get one organisation much good could tie done. A city like Palmerston North should have some body of the kind suggested, and the sooner it was formed the better.

The chairiTian suggested that they could help as individual members, and in the meantime each committee could continue its work until the league was formed.

Mr Black said that if the Citizens’ Show Committee could give an undertaking that, once the league was formed, they would merge into it, they could agree to form the nucleus of tlie organisation. It was decided to support the movement for tlie formation of a league on tlie lines suggested and to form, with others, the nucleus of the organisation to discuss tlie proposal.