OTAGO EXPANSION LEAGUE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18322, 12 August 1921, Page 6

OTAGO EXPANSION LEAGUE

ANNUAL MEETING. INADEQUATE FINANCIAL SUPPORT. The annual meeting of the Otago Expansion League was held in the Council Chambers last night. Mr J. Inglis Wright presided, the president (Mr Chas. Todd) having been called out of town on important ibusiness. Those present included Messrs J. Horn, C. E. Statham and E. Kellett, M.P.’s. The address, which Mr Todd intended to have delivered, was read by Mr Wright. Their first and foremost aim, Mr Todd said, was hydro-electric energy for Otago. Various deputations to Wellington had stressed the urgent necessity for cheap power, ami as a result, the Hon. J. G. Coates had visited the suggested sites. He agreed with •them., that Haweu-Wanaka was the ideal scheme for Otago; but because of the absence of an immediate demand for 50.000 horse-power, and in view of the long distance, necessitating as it did an expensive transmission line at a high voltage, this idea had to be deferred. They, therefore, had to bo content with the alternative of increasing the Waipori power, as suggested by Mr Birks. Negotiations were proceeding between the Government, the City Council, and the league, whereby Waipori would, be pushed on to its ultimate capacity at the earliest, and a fair proportion set apart for country reticulation at a price and on terms acceptable to the league. It. had been hoped that finality would be reached prior to the meeting, but when dealing with the Government much patience was essential. The arrangement when made would be published, and the election of a Power Board for Otgao immediately proceeded with. He did not need to stress the, manifold advantages that would accrue When the country was supplied with cheap power. Canada already had 1 horse-power to every live of the population, and was steadily harnessing up more, whilst New Zealand had less than one to every 50 of the population. If our secondary industries ■were to succeed, and our country population to have increased comfort, every effort must be made immediately to harness the magnificent sources of water power that Nature had so bountifully supplied in New Zealand. When Waipori was started they hoped to induce the Government to start, work on the Teviot scheme, and some of the smaller streams in Central Otago, where much cheap power could be generated and all linked up. They could rest assured that the league would keep steadily hammering away until their ideal was consummated and the whole of the country . districts of Otago supplied with cheap and plentiful power. The Land Tenure Commission report would come before Parliament next session, and it was to be hoped that the recommendations made would be adopted. ,In its long and strenuous effort to secure fair treatment to Otago’s Crown lands, the league ,\vas animated by the conviction that with secure tenure, closer settlement, irrigation, lucerne, fruit, and seed culture, Central Otago would come into its own and become one of the closest populated districts in New Zealand. The league was not in a position for want of money to do all that came to hand in the general interest. Its total income (£469) just about covered aalaries, rent, and incidental expenses, leaving no surplus for publications, advertising, and propaganda, without which much of their work did not give the results it deserved. The league hud many voluntary financial supporters, but there were a large number of business people who should assist by donating to the funds. In addition to private arid business donations the Canterbury League had an assured income Of over £IOOO per annum —paid by the Christchurch City Council, county councils, and boroughs. The law now allowed payments t 6 organisations such as theirs by local bodies, to whom ho would suggest that they follow Canterbury's example. Money was scarce, but it behoved us now more than ever to be watchful and to see that we suffered no injustice from the Government, which would, as usual, heed the most insistent. Wo had a lot to learn before we could hold our own with the north in this respect. Otago would stand the stress of financial stringency better than most- parts of New Zealand. Whilst there had .(ion much individual hardship owing tfi some traders and land buyers having beefl over-sanguine as to the future, the general position in Otago was sound, and although some were disposed to blame the banks because of the conservative policy adopted, there was no doubt that such action was necessary to keep the country’s finances on a sound basis. The banks were in a particularly strong position, and would he felt sure, handle the financial-situation in such a way that after our period of stress, business would bo sounder than ever. REPORT ADOPTED. Mr 'Wright, in moving the adoption of the Executive Committee’s report (as published) added that it was good to know that a Forestry Department had been created and a director appointed. He understood that arrangements were in hand for the planting of parts of the Blue Mountains. Referring to the possibilities of the tourist traffic, Mr Wright said the league would like to have more funds for propaganda work in this respect. Ho also mentioned the establishment of a branch of the ' league at Mosgiel, and contrasted the league’s financial position with the generous support given to the Canterbury League. With the exception of the office staff all gave their services voluntarily, and surely the people in whose interest they worked mignt contribute the wherewithal to enable them to carry on the work. Mr Wright mentioned later that the league intended to seek the support of local bodies in- the new year. , . Mr S. B. Macdonald seconded the motion, which. was carried. COUNTRY DEVELOPMENT.

Mr Tamblyn, in moving the adoption of the Country Development report, mentioned that 80 men were now employed on the Beaumont-Miller’s Flat railway. The Tuapeka' Mouth railway had not been started. As they knew, there had been two factions which could not agree upon’ the route, but they had now cast the onus of making the decision upon the Government. Of course the financial stringency was the excuse for not going on with public works. , . Mr. FI. Kellett, M.P., referred to the tourists he had met in the North Island who were not coming south “ because there was nothing to see,” and said this was alarming when there was a Government, department charged with the duty of advising tourists. He suggested that the league should impress on the head of the department that tourists should be told that Otago was worth a visit. Mr F. i Duncan stressed the necessity for the early completion of the Roxburgh railway. Until they got the railway into Roxburgh there was no possibility of exporting fruit. Mr James Horn, M.P.. contended that useful work had been done during the year. The experimental farm was a fact. He referred to the protracted negotiations over electric power, and expressed the opinion that before long the upper reaches of Otago would be supplied from some local source. The lower reaches would be supplied from Waipori. He had been pleased to hear Mr Duncan’s references to the Roxburgh railway. He had had the pleasure of conducting two Ministers over the road, one of whom was the Minister of Public Works and he believed they now understood that the road was not fit for the traffic. Ho had the assurance of Mf- Coates that the railway would be pushed' on’ to the utmost of his financial resources. Mr Horn also referred to the of Otago’s tourist resorts, and stated that the Hon. W. Nosworthy had promised to spend 10 days m the lakes of Otago, probably some time in January. Mr C. IK. Statham, M.P., assured the meeting that the Otago members stood together in all these things, but they must have the weight of public opinion behind them. Unless they had the backing of local bodies such as the league behind them Ministers were apt to take less notice of

them. . . , The report was adopted. Tho report of the Educational Committee was adopted on the motion of tho chairman (Mr S. B. Macdonald), who stated that he had been approached by several people regarding tho provision of sections for the extension of the potato-growing competition to the city schools, and threw out the suggestion that someone might come forward with help. ' Mr C. H. Hayward remarked that if the league approached the City Council something might be done for it. The Immigration Committee s report was adopted on the motion of the chairman (Mr Ansdorribe). , , ■Mr G Errinaton (chairman of the nowlv constituted Railway Committee) gave a brief account of the committee s activities in the direction of securing reasonable facilities. Tho chairman promised that the committee Would consider a suggestion which was made bv Mr A. D. Edgar that the lapanu. trahui should be run to suit Dunedin instead of Invercargill. APPOINTMENT OF OFFICERS. The following executive officers were appointed President, Mr Chas. vicepresidents—Messrs P. B. Sargood. J. £2i! Wright, and S. B. Macdonald; hon.

treasurer, Mr H. E. Wilson; auditors, Messrs Barr, Leary, and Co. ; Executive Committee—Messrs H. K. Wilkinson. B. B. Hooper. R. D. Poison, Win. Black, J. Rhodes, E. Tamblyn. J. Loudon. C. E. Statham, Jas. Begg. T. K. Sidey, E. Anscombes, D. Larnnch, .Tns. Kclleher, J. Robieson. E. Kellett, M.P., E. Pilling, J. Horn, M.P., and C. H. Hayward; Country Development Committee—Messrs E. Tamblyn, Crosby Morris, F, G. Duncan, T. Breen, hi, E. Clowes R. T. Stewart. D. Tannock, Chas. Todd. F. W. Knight. G. M. Thomson. Jas. Kclleher, R. D. Poison. H. Turner; Educational Committee—Messrs S. B. Macdonald, E. S. Green, E. Tamblyn. W. Eudy. C. E. Statham. M.P.. D. Larnach, R. D. Poison. R. B. Tennent, and A. D. Edgar- Publicity Committee —Messrs J. Tnglis Wright, Jas. Dick, J. G. Moody, J. Rhodes, and T. Somerville: Immigration Committee —Messrs E. Anscombe, T. Somerville. D. Larnnch. R. D. Poison, A. D. Edgar, J. Love (Port Chalmers). Votes of thanks were accorded to the retiring officers, the press, the chairman, and the City Council which granted the use of its chambers.

Mr Statham proposed a motion appreciative of the services of the secretary IMr W. B. Steel), who. ho said, made a hobby of his work, and was one of the most enthusiastic members of the league. His proposal was endorsed by Mr Horn, and carried by acclamation.