EXPANSION PLAN

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 77, 24 October 1942, Page 4

EXPANSION PLAN

NORTHERN PART OF SOUTH ISLAND CONFERENCE ON 27th NOVEMBER TOPICS FOR DISCUSSION To consider a plan of major post war public works for the mutual advancement of Marlborough and Nelson provinces (including; the West Coast) a combined conference , will he held in the Nelson City j Council Chamber on Friday, 27th November. It has been convened by i the Murchison County Council, the j originator of the idea being Mr F. j 11. Newman. At 10 a.m. on that day the Mayor of Nelson (Mr E. R. Neale) will extend a welcome to delegates. The business for discussion will include the advisibility of forming to further the advancement o”ie Nelson-Marl borough Provinces, election of officers, railway development, hydro electric supply, roads and highways, tourist resorts, afforestation, soil erosion, health resorts and general matters brought forward by delegates for the advancement of these provinces. WHAT’S THE IDEA Under the heading, “What's the Idea?” a circular sent out with the notice of the conference explains its purpose in the following terms: Delegates from nearly all West Coast, Marlborough and Nelson local bodies are to meet in Nelson on Friday, 27th November. What for? To plan together for a postwar progress drive. That’s the idea behind the conference. Why worry about it during the war then? For the very urgent reason that the Rehabilitation Board and other Government officers are busy combing New Zealand now and sorting out public works to be prosecuted after the war as part of a reconstruction scheme. The future of the northern portion of the South Island and its people is linked together. We are all neighbours and the more we plan together the better will available public money be sDent in building something worthwhile instead of being frittered away piecemeal. Remember the past. Let us not be left on the ground when the balloon goes up next time. What kind of projects are suggested? There is no intention of interfering with the domestic administration of local bodies. Bring to the conference data and ideas about a dove-tailed scheme of railway development, our hydro-elec-tricity, future roads, opening up of tourist traffic, afforestation, use of natural mineral springs, etc. Let us have suggestions in advance. From this pool of ideas, let us hammer out a co-ordinated and comprehensive plan. Then let us go to the Government and say: “Here is a well considered programme of major public works which we think should form the main part of the post-war plan of reconstruction and expansion for the northern part of the Island. Will the Government pay heed to our representations? It is our job to see that they do. If you were a Cabinet Minister or a member of the Rehabilitation Board would you ignore a scheme prepared and agreed to by representatives of the people whose interests are so vitally concerned? There is scarcely any other part of New Zealand where the opportunities for further development are greater than in our districts provided we get facilities (mainly transport and electric power) equal to those enjoyed by other similar parts of the Dominion. In some respects we have been the Cinderella Provinces. That must and will come to an end if we come together, forgetting local body boundaries and parochial interests, and make our united voice heard. Have you ever painted a mental picture of the major improvements which would mean so much to the future of your district? Thqse are the ideas we want brought to light. Who is better qualified to frame a programme of needs in major public works than members of local bodies? In the provincial days there were statesmen among us with visions of the future. Statesmanship is still to be found in our local todies and there is as much opportunity for displaying it as there is in the central Government. If you come to the conference in the right spirit you can well make it a milestone in the history of this part of New Zealand. Let us move with the times and set the example of co-operation. Let us plan together for progress on Friday, 27th November, at the City Council Chambers, Nelson.