PROGRESS LEAGUE

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 11250, 30 June 1922, Page 3

PROGRESS LEAGUE

RAILWAY DIVERSIONS TECHNICAL COLLEGE "A MON l'MENT TO FOLLY.” THE NEEDS OF HOUSING. The second annual meeting of the Central Progress League was held Inst evening at the Chamber of Commerce, Mr C. M. Luke presiding. There were only twelve present when the meeting opened *and the chairman explained that there was a meeting of the City Council that evening which accounted for some absences. Apologies for absence were received from the Mayor (Mr R. A. Wright, M.P.)) Messrs Forsyth, Bennett, L. Mackenzie, W. D. Hunt, Sim, C. C. Odlin, C. Daniels, G. Denton, Cole, V. C. Watt, and Leigh Hunt. "LIKE MAHOMET'S COFFIN/’ The president pointed out that the annual meeting was somewhat delayed. In moving the adoption of the report and balance sheet, which has been published, he said it wa6 surprising how little progress had been made in public works. Although pressed for a year ago, only the excavation work had been done in connection with the girls' college. With regard to the Rimutaka diversion, this was a necessary and important matter and would save hundreds of thousands a year, yet, like Mahomet's coffin, it still seemed to be suepended between heaven and earth, although they were approaching the day when something tangible would be taken in hand concerning this necessary work. They had also pressed for the diversion of the Paekakariki railway, where a groat saving could be effected. Main roads running from Wellington had also been considered, and most satisfactory work had been done, and progress had been made in the reclamation work at Thorndon and the new station accommodation, which was so badly needed. It had been promised for many years, and he was gratified to know that provision had been made and an agreement reached between the authorities about beginning work, and also an agreement between the Harbour Board, the City Council and the Government. There were prospects of the work being commenced within a few months, if not weeks. Having two stations was disastrous in the interests of economy, and the saving in power would be considerable. After referring to the housing question, the president spoke of the organising work done by Colonel Mitchell on behalf of the League, which was a comprehensive body and dealt with questions of a national character. OPEN UP NEW LAND. Dr T. D. M. Stout, after paying complimentary referenoe to the services of the chairman and secretary, spoke of the importance of the housing question to the community, and urged the League to try and obtain better housing conditions in the city, and a town-planning scheme. There was a tendency to crowd the houses into the centre oi the city. It did not seem to occur to the City Council to spread out the population and provide proper transit. It was regrettable that brick buildings were being permitted in narrow streets where traffic was heavy, and he specially mentioned the building up to the fine in Moulsham street which was now on. Regarding the Rimutaka deviation scheme, he regarded tho tunnel 6cheme by the East Coast as the best, as it would open up a good deal of land, lead to rapid development, and the settlement of people on the only undeveloped land near Wellington. It was not entirely an engineering problem, but one which would open up the beet land, and if the expense ; was not ;too prohibitive the Wainui route should be gone on with. In conclusion, he expressed the League's appreciation of the service® rendered by Mr Luke and the secretary. "ONE GOOD ORGANISATION.” Mr Stuart Wilson agreed that the League had not made the progress they had hoped. Only in one. direction had they’made actual progress, and that was so far as money spent on roads was concerned. Two years ago they spent 34« per head on roads in Auckland and 6s in Wellington, hut last year the respective figures were 28s and 14s. He regretted the number of organisations working in the city, and he thought one good organisation including them all would be a splendid thing. He suggested that the League should consider during the year whether they should merge with the Chamber of Commerce, and get the very beet from the business minds of the community. The Tailway was losing a million a year, and the Post and Telegraph Department was costing three millions more and doing the same amount of work. The speaker referred to the small amount spent on railways in Wellington as compared With Auckland. He would like to see a big livening effort and a deeper interest taken in these questions of national importance. National works of vital importance were being neglected as far a 6 Wellington was concerned. "MORE USEFUL WORK/' Air J. G. Howell agreed that the League was doing a most useful work concerning not only the city and the province but the Dominion. There was great work to be done besides that concerning commercial interests. Progress was a matter of education, and he would like to pay warm tribute to tho work of Colonel Mitchell, who had given great time and energy in their interests. There was yet much to be done, and he hoped the League would regard educational work as a distinct branch of its duties. POWER. BOARDS BE READY. Colonel Mitchell, in response, said that one man could not do this work alone, lie had had loyal support from the president and committee. With respect to housing and education, the social wellbeing of the people should be their first consideration. He would especially like to stress the importance of housing and the environment of the people. The League had had a marked effect on the progress of public works in the district, lie believed the Government would redeem its pledge* in the time promised and give the hydro-electric power. He only feared that the power lx>ards would not be ready to receive the power when available, and he hoped the power boards would employ those out of work and get on with the reticulation. The plans would be finished soon for the Thorndon railway extension and reclamation. At present the Government had 350 men on the roads in the district, especially on the Paekakariki and Rimutaka hills. The road expenditure this year would he greatly improved, to the benefit of the province. Railway development was necessary, and with the splendid harbour thev were attracting firms to the city. Vet the railways over the mountain sides were impeding greater progress. They had been able to convince the Minister that something must be done to improve the finest port ir tho Dominion. He regretted that the work of completing the technical college had been stopped for want of money, and he thought this important work should not stop for want of A2SAUO. Although- large expenditure had been made in Wellington, tho railways there were wanted to enable them to develop that largo province, but there were legitimate requirements in Wellington, not the least important of which were the Thorndon reclamation and improved railway facilities otit of Wellington. Appreciation was also expressed of the service* of the Press, without which they could not go on. The report and balance-sheet were adopted. ELECTIONS. The following elections then took place : —President, Mr P. C. Watt; vice-presi-dent's, Messrs E. A. Wright. M.P., W. il. Field, M.P,, Stuart Wilson, Dr Stout, and Dr Newman; committee, Messrs C\

Daniels, L. Mackenzie. T. Forsyth. F. Fasti* J. T. Jone-s, W. H. Bennett. C. M. Luke. W. Sites, smd C. C. Odlinlion, secretary and treasurer. Colonel O Mitchell. THE TECHNICAL COLLEGE. A resolution was pas-cd promirintr an* support that could given to the of Governors in working for the completion of the technical college. The chairman remarked: If the 'V-Eejw is left in it* present unfinished condi tion it will be a. monument to folly. PROPAGANDA. Colonel Mitchell also reported upon a new pamphlet which was being printed tor publication, and asked L-r financial support to enable groate rprepaganda work to be done on behalf o i the province. similar to what was being don« la Auckland.