PROGRESS LEAGUE.

Northern Advocate, 2 August 1924, Page 3

PROGRESS LEAGUE.

MAKES THE NORTH KNOWN,

USEFUL- WOKK RK\ IEVv'ED.

In the absence of -Mr. i>. A. McLean, president of the North Auckland Pro gress League, tlie vice-president, Mr. It. E. Horn blow, Mayor of Dargaville, presided over a meeting of the executive of the League 'held in the Whangnrei Borough Council Chamber on Wednesday night. Delegates were present from Hobson, Whangarei and Otamatea counties, apologies for absence were received from Northern representatives, and Whangaroa branch was represented by a Whangarei member. The report of the secretary (Mr. A. T. Brainsby) stated that, in addition to the local work done by branches, the

work carried out at the Whangarei office since the previous meeting included numerous replies to inquiries for information from nil parts of the Dominion from England, Australia, and India. Personal inquiries for maps and information Tmd been made by

visitors, and readily responded to, in some cases itineraries being mapped out for tourists.

Pamphlets published, by the League had been widely circulated, through various agencies, advantage being taken of the visit of societies like the Auckland Municipal Choir to see that every one of the guests and friends received a personal word of welcome from the League, and some descriptive matter regarding the resources of the North. A new illustrated pamphlet had been prepared with a careful selection of photographs representing some of the outstanding features of Nort'h Auckland from Helensville fo Mangonui. The matter sent in for the pamphlet from the various branches of the League and from editorial representatives in the counties had been very valuable and abundant. Particular care had been taken in preparing the matter for the press to verify facts and figures, and the thanks of the League were due to Mrs. Radcliffe, of Whangarei, and Mr. A. Northwood, of Kaitaia, for the use of copyright photographs, and to Messrs. A. J. Mur- J doeh, M.P., W. A. Given, M.A., G. M. Valentine, T. H. Patterson and the

Government .Statistician for important matter. An illustrated leaflet from this pamphlet had been circulated in connection wit'll the Northern Courts at the Auckland Winter Show, and a number of these leaflets sent Home for the London Exhibition. It was intended to supplement these with the full pamphlet as vunds were available. TOUKIST DEPARTMENT. The report referred to the visits of Mr. Wilson, chief of the Tourist Department, who sought and obtained the assistance of the League in planning <>ut his inspection of the North, and Mr. Morton, the Government cinematographist. to whom the League was able i to render valuable 'help in providing motor transport, arranging a revised ! itinerary, and directing attention to several examples of northern resources and scenic attraction, which were filmed by Mr. Morton for the London Exhibition. The League found that his instructions did not include the further North, Kaitaia, the Ninety Mile Beach, j Kaeo, and other important places, and j made representations to the Department. The correspondence from the Minister in charge gave assurance that a later visit would be arranged for, when a. complete film of North Auckland would be contemplated, and those places unavoidably omitted now would be fully represented.

PUBLICITY IN LONDON. The League "had brought North Auckland before the New Zealand Exhibition Commissioner, and stressed the importance of the Information Officers at the Exhibition being acquainted with the outstanding opportunities and resources of North Auckland as a pastoral and agricultural country wit'i 'i population of less than 05,000, an aren. of three and three-quarter million acres and over a million and a quarter acre:' unoccupied. bkanch.es marking time. Visitation of the Northern cour.t.ies by t'he secretary had borne fruit in several centres, but the fruit was slow in ripening, and sub-branches formed in some districts were not developing all their opportunities of usefulness. The thanks of the League were due to Mr. F. Higgiiison for voluntary work in visiting several counties in behalf

of the League. It seemed necessary iii forming branches that delegates s , ould be able to pay more than a Slurried visit to hold meetings. They should >'tay over for a day or two in -i district and help to get the branch in good working order.

DISPROPOKTIONATI-: GROWTH

The report cori'flu.'oii with a paragraph pointing out the disproportionate ' grevth of v/itli the ! almost stagnant condition of country settlement. This made the work of the League more than e\er necessary to the welfare of the North. It was un deniable that the League had put North Auckland on the map of New Zealand more worthily than it had been before, but the aim of tiie League was to induce settlement on the land, not the inflation of town populations. "Unless, by some means, we can induce increased settlement on the uncultivated acres, and on the unoccupied areas of North Auckland, the growtli of the towns is in danger of a recoil upon itself." For this reason t'he leaflet an] pamphlet prepared by the League made only a brief reference to the towns, but emphasised the country, the climate, the farming resources, and the opportunities for settlement and closer settlement which t'he North offered. MONEY FOR FARMERS. The possible hindrance to settlement in the present high prices of land, the need for opening up unproductive native and Grown lands, and the advantages of sub-dividing unduly large holdings were discussed, and it was resolved to approach the North Auckland Chambers of Commerce asking them to unite in urging upon the Government: (1) A more liberal advance of money to farmers; (2) The opening up of idle land; (3) The reconsideration of the Homestead system, or the introduction of some better system than the present i one, for assisting men to settle on the land and develop it.

Mr. W. Reynolds, president of the Whnngarei Chamber of Commerce, said that the old homestead system ha.l worked well, and they had not seen men walking off their land under that system as they saw them to-day. Why could not t'he Government prepare blocks of land and offer them for settlement on terms that gave an industrious settler a chance?

The chairman strongly advocated the need for more generous and more speedy Government help for struggling farmers, whose whole living was bound up in being able to keep their farms in a good productive condition, but wlio could not do this in periods of depression without definite financial help. His remarks, which were fully reported in Thursday's "Advocate," were supported by all the delegates present. INCORPORATION. The secretary was instructed to proceed with the application for the ini corporation of the League, and follow- . ing , t'he example of the Canterbury Proj gross League, it was resolved to take I the steps necessary to secure a clause in I this year's Washing-TJp Bill, authorising local bodies iu North Auckland to contribute to the League's funds, out of ordinary revenue. PAMPHLET DELAYED. In view of expenses already involved, j i it, u-;is decided to hold back the publiI i cation of the pamphlet till the next : meeting, and meantime circulate madeup written copies of w'hat it was ]n-j tended to be, including the illustrations, I 'so that a larger measure of support | vertise the North in the Auckland could be secured. A proposal to ad"Weekly News" Christmas Number, and "Brett's Annual," which was referred to the League from local au- ' thorities, was recognised as a useful and valuable means of publicity, but not. at present wifhin the scope of the available funds. RAILWAY PETITION. The importance of the proposed railway connection of l.'i miles between Dargaville and the railway line now p.earing completion from Waiotira to Kirikopuni was brought before the meeting. A resolution, moved by Messrs. H. W. Crawford and W. Rev- ' nolds. was carried assuring the League's I support for the petition now in circulation. J DUNEDIN EXHIBITION. I Mr. F. A. .Tones, of Dargaville, said ! he thought all branches of the League should 1-om'ider, in time for the annual meeting in October or November, the importance of a united effort to have the resources and products of North .Auckland displayed at the forthcoming Dunedin Exhibition. Ho gave notice of a motion to this effect, and on the further motion of Mr. G. W. Heslop (Otamatea) it was decided to mtit'y ;ill branches with a view to the matter being fully discussed.