MOTUEKA

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXI, 16 July 1928, Page 8

MOTUEKA

PROGRESS LEAGUE MEETING At. the monthly mooting of the Motuojia District, Progress League, tho chairman (Mr S. (";. Smith), after final arraignments in connection with print, 'irig oFlho league's booklet, had been arri>Jcfl at, spoke- of He article on tobacco growing contained therein. He expressed the. opinion that something should bo done in the way of obtaining au out-lot. for all hat, grown in tbo district; on this subject Mr Wallace had suggestions to make. TOBACCO INDUSTRY Mr Wallace said that the success of the industry depended largely on growers being able to export the surplus. At a recent meeting of tobacco growers he had moved that the Government be asked to increase the subsidy on export tobacco leaf from £3,500 to £50,000. In support of this be would like the League to pass a similar resolution. He was well aware- of the fact that it was necessary to encourage tobacco companies to come to the district; but steps must be taken to deal with the surplus, and uncjuestionaljly <if surplus would arise in the near future.

Mr Nicholson also spoke, at some length, it) support of a- request for an increase of subsidy. Even £50,000, he thought, was inadequate to meet the situation.

An important point raised by Mr Nicholson was the question of suitable tobacco seed. Firstly it would bo necessary, in his opinion, to obtain seed of best export varieties, and secondly, to try these out on the different tobacco growing areas of the Dominion, in order to ascertain in which localities they grew best. 'Die Government Department could materially assist in this connection.

Mr Nicholson supported Mr Wallace in his resolution for an increase of subsidy to £50,000. Major Talbot thought that this was more a matter for the growers than, the Leujguo; a/jd, ho questioned very much whether the Government woujd, taJio, much notice of a, resolution, coining from the League. Subsequent to further discussion on the matter it was decided to withdraw the foregoing resolution and substitute it for one proposed by Messrs E. Trevena and Wallace. "That the Government and Department of Agriculture be approached with a view to having the guarantee for export tobacco established'and that the present limited liability of the Government', under the guarantee be eliminated, and that no limitation of the liability be fixed." Mr Wallace stated that he was one of a committee of five, appointed at I lie Tobacco Growers' meeting to act in connection with this and other matters. He suggested that the League also appoint delegates to act with them.

A committed, consisting of Messrs S. G. Smith, W, Nicholson, E. Trevcna and N. Ross, was set up to formulate a caso to place, before Mr R. P. Hudsou M.P. re guarantee on. export tobacco.

BEAUTIFYING THE TOWN

Mr Wallace mentioned that a slot telephone was about to be installed outside of the Post Office, an improvement ho had been endeavouring to obtain for some considerable time. Ho was keen on town beautifying; and if it was decided to form a society he would grow and present to ihe Borough sufficient .scarlet gum trees to plant an avenue from the approach to Motueka to "K" old factory i.e. main road from Drog'emullcr's Queen Victoria street to junction of Pah street. He, like many more of the people of the district, had lost relatives in the Great War; and the avenue could be dedicated as an avenue of remembrance.

Mr Ledger questioned whether the Motueka streets were sufficiently wide to admit of an avenue and, in support, instanced how several of Nelson streets had been considerably reduced in width through'the planting of trees. Mr Wallace explained that he had no intention of planting' the trees in the town, being well aware that they were 100 narrow for i beautifying in this manner. Mr Wallace thought that the League could help, through the formation of a beautifying society, in making 'the Domain a park. , Major Talbot and Mr Clay also spoke on ibis matter.

My Clay was emphatic on the point that if sheep were not permitted to graze ia-the.Domain, it would be impossible to keep the grass in diode. Mr Nicholson disposed, of the question by remarking that the decision rested with the Domain Board of the Borough Council and that it was not a. matter for the League to deal with.

A vole of thanks to tho chair term mated the meeting;