WELLINGTON PROVINCE

New Zealand Times, Volume XLV, Issue 10430, 7 November 1919, Page 5

WELLINGTON PROVINCE

EXPANSION LEAGUE FORMATION APPROVED BY REPRESENTATIVE MEETING. PROGRESS AND DEVELOPMENT M ..NTED. (From Our Special Reporter.) ,PALMERSTON N., November 6. A preliminary meeting in connection with the proposed formation of a. Wellington provincial expansion and provincial development league, for the purpose of promoting tho general progress and expansion of the resources of the Wellington district and keeping the Government alive to its pnovincial needs, was held here this afternoon. The meeting was open to all interested in the proposal, and many local bodies and chambers of commerce were represented. The idea was first mooted by the 'Wellington Central Chamber of Commerce, which advocated the formation of a league that should’include preferably Wellington, Manawatu,'- Wairarapa, Wanganui. Taranaki and Hawke's Bay, and the meeting was fixed for today on account of the advantage of re-presentation-afforded by the 'Palmerston show now in progress. The names of those present were as follow: —Messrs C. M. Luke (president of ’Wellington Central Chamber of Commerce), O. E. Mackay (Mayor of Wanganui), G. Frost (Wellington City Council), M. E. Perreau (Foxton Chamber of Commerce), A. H. Wright (Kairanga County Council), H. P. Horne (Woodvillo Chamber of Commerce), C. F. Baker (Wo.odvillo County Council), J. A. McLeavey. (Palmerston. North branch of Farmers’ Union), W. B. Matheson (Eketahuna), W. J. Gardner (Petono Borough Council), J. K. Hornblow (Foxton Chamber of Commerce), W. p. Bramwell and J. E. Barltrop (Feliding Chamber of Commerce), O. E. Daniell (Masterton Chamber of Commerce), F. B. Parker (Levin Borough Council), M. Cotton (Lower Hutt Borough Council), E. L. Broad (Palmerston North Borough Council)), F. C. Wilson (Marten Co-operative Society), A. Diokins (Pongaroa), J. A. Nash (Mayor of PaJmerston North), G. J. Harford (FeUding Borough Council), W. Darragh (Rongotea Town Board), D. W. Matheson (May of of Levin), E. H. .Orabb and W. McKenzie (Palmerston North Chamber of Commerce), Mr Luke apologised for the absence of Mr W. A. Veitch, M.P. for Wanganui. TO INCREASE 'PRODUCTIVITY. Addressing the meeting, AH 1 O. M. Luke, who occupied the chair, briefly explained the objects of the movement and the events which had led up to tho proposal that a loague shbuld be formed. Since the conference' of local bodies and Chambers of Commerce held last July, endeavours had been made to get in touch with the Prime Minister to present the objects to him, but the deputation was unable to gain an interview. In order to provide the necessary punch and follow up their resolutions passed at the conference, it. was, necessary to set up an executive that would be in continual existence! The Dominion was on the eve of a great period of expansion, and would- shortly , have to bear a great burden, and this could not be borne unless increased production of the country was made possible. This would be done by improving the machinery, and urging that special Government facilities should bo provided in order te bring about the’desired increase of productivity..,, The object of tho meeting was, therefore, to decide how best the league could assist the Government in bringing this about.

PUNCH AND POWER. • REQUIRED. ( Mr Luke referred to the hydro-eleo-trio schemes. Some people argued that there were .already too many conferences and local bodies set up in the country, and he was inclined to believe they were right, but it was generally recognised that punch and power was required behind the Government to push on the project of the advancement of the country. He hoped that by setting up such a league as was proposed that, punch would bo found. .Referring to the . necessity' for a deputation of the East 'Coast Railway League in order to open up the districts to a great extent, the president .said the value of such a deviation appeared to he generally recognised, and had been admitted by several Ministers,' including the Minister for Public Works. Probably none recognised the value of a deviation more than Sir William Fraser. Something groat and vigorous should he understood, in Order., that various provincial works required might be carried out. ... Mr Luke was formally elected chairman . of the meeting and Mr Arthur Petherick ■ secretary. WORK OF EXPANSION LEAGUES. The constitution and rules of the Otago , Expansion . League were then read. ty. the secretory. Mr W.'Stuart Wilson traced the formation and growth of the Otago. League, and explained how its objects were furthered. The league had set out particularly to educate ■ the people to the fact that it was absolutely essential that the natural water power should he harnessed up for electrical purposes. Ho pointed out the great possibility and value of • cultivating tile soil, as had been done' in America. These were only instances bf the important work that such leagues could further. It was only by progressive work and agitation that they could' obtain the result that was necessary. What was- wanted was the co-operation . of. the whole of the people. It was necessary to have for the league a really live and active organiser to’ travel around tho various 'districts. ' Mr Wilson then formally moved: “That the meeting give active support to the formation of a league haying as its aim the advancement, prosperity and intensive settlement ot the province of Wellington, and of the Dominion of Now Zealand generally.” Several questions bearing on tho work of the league were-asked by various representatives and answered by Mr Wilson. PROPOSAL DISCUSSED. Speaking in support of the resolution, Mr Harford (Mayor, of Feilding) said that he thought the establishment of tho league would bo productive of much good, and would enable the local bodies to work together for the good of tho province and of the Dominion. The meeting approved of an amendment to Mr Wilson’s motion to pro-

vide fer the advancement of the southern position of the North' Island. Several otJsor speakers spoko . upon the nu-t-hc-kt of financing the longue. Mr O. Frost (Wellington) thought that tb.i various local bodies should maka v uniform contribution to the fluancL."/, of the league, hut that they should &a consulted as a "whole before contribution was determined upon, lie’heartily the scheme, and referred to the fact tint out of the total of £B,OOOXOO voted in the estimates, the contribution to the Mellingtoit district was only within the first few thousands.

Mr C. ,E. Daniel! (Mastcrton) said that the league sliouM show a progressive policy and commit itself to its responsibilitv. ft was higlilv necessary that pessimism shoo'd nnt dominate the Indies interested. He hoped the meeting would. before it (onclnded. assume some responsibility and decide something definite Mr J. K. tlornb’oiv fFoxton) thought the meeting should endeavour to assess tlic contributions required from the local bodies in order, to finance the movement either according to rating or population. Delegates would then be able to place the proposed financial apportionments before the bodies they represented. Mr W. Cotton (Lower Hutt) suggested that delegates should go hack to their districts and form local branches of the league. Mr Wilson, referring to the' inadequate salaries of members' of Parliament, said'that the league should set out to. reform Parliament. ■Mr, Luke said that , he did -.not apUcipatc the objects of the league: would bo sufficiently large.to undertake-iiuch a policy. , Mr Wilson's resolutions were then put to the meeting and adopted. The constitution and rules of the Otago Expansion League were adopted for guidance until the first conference convened by the league was held. Mr- Frost then raised the question ns to -where the first conference should be held."” It jwns decided that Palmerston" North should for the time being bo the headquarters of the executive. FAECLTIVE COUNCIL FORMED. A 'committee was elected as follows with power to add to its number in order to secure- the, formation of the league and,.act as.an executive council until the first conference: Temporary chairman of executive, Mr E. H." Crahb; secretary, Mr IV. MoKenaie; executive. Messrs C. M. Luke. E. 11. Crabb, C. E. Daniell, O. E. Mackay, G. J. Harford," W. S." Wilson. T. R. Hodder, W. F. Bramwell. H. P. Horne, D. W. Mathiosou, J. Chrysted, \V. A. Veifch, E. L. Broad, G. Frost, J. P. Luke,-W. B. Matheson, and the Mayors of the various boroughs ex-officio. ~ » The questions of finance, the appointment of an organiser, and the date and place of the conference were left to the executive for consideration.