PROGRESS LEAGUES.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19759, 9 April 1926, Page 7

PROGRESS LEAGUES.

SOUTH ISLAND CONFERENCE. IMPORTANT REMITS. RAILWAY ROUTES DISCUSSED. The second annual conference of the South Island Progress Leagues was held in the New Zealand Government Pavilion at the Exhibition yesterday and was attended by the following delegates:— Messrs S. B. Macdonald, W. B. Steel and H. M. M‘Kay (Otago Expansion .League); R. F. Coulter (Marlborough Progress League); \V. J. Moffat (Nelson Progress League); P. R. Clicnie, G. H. Judd and H. Holland, M.P. (Canterbury Progress League); H. F. Drewe, \V. Alexander and J. S. Dick (Southland League), and F. Wood (Buller Progress League). It was resolved chat Mr S. B. Macdonald be elected president of the conference. Mr Macdonald extended a hearty welcome to (he delegates and hoped that the business transacted would be of great benefit to the Dominion. MAIN TRUNK RAILWAY. Mr R. F. Coulter moved the following renut: —‘‘That this conference emphasises the importance of completing the jNew Lealand Main Trank railway in the South Island at an early date. That the East Coast route is the most suitable one for the following reasons: (1) That it is bo miles shorter than the est Coast route. (2) That it opens up country whose productivity can be appreciably increased by railway connection, (i) that the hue appears destined -to carry the ma;o: portion of the passenger trainc between the two islands.” He said that the .-ost of the line was £25,000 per mile. and there were approximately 80 miles to complete. This was the Government estimate, but he (the -peaker; considered it much too high. He was satisfied that if the work were done by contract it would not cost anything like £2,(XW,000. An influentml deputation had waited on the Prime Minister and urged a fresh survey. This was now being done. The matter was brought up at last conference but no vote was taken on the subject, as it was desirous of seeing what the attitude of the Canterbury Progress League would be. The recent railway commission, presided over by Sir Sam. Fay, had gone out of its way to recommend the construction of this line. The exoenditure on railways in the North Island had been greater of recent years than it was in the south, in the north they had a complete chain of railway from the far end of the island to Wellington and ovei £1,000,000 more was voted for North Island railways last year than was voted for the South Island. He thought the time had come when this railway should be completed. It had heen approved by successive Ministries, but Mr Coates, since he became Prime Minister, bad practically wiped it off the slate. Mr P. R. Climie, in seconding the motion, said there could be no doubt that for national purposes the line via the East Coast was preferable. The line via Nelson was 148 miles longer than the line via Picton. Tie representations they were making were deserving of the support of everyone in the Dominion He hoped that the remit Would meet with unanimous approval The Chairman said the Otago Expansion League would have been pleased to second the motion only its members thought this should be clone by some ot tne piovinces adjacent to the line. Mr F. Wood moved as an amendment that all the words after the word “date be deleted. They were out to help one another, and they should not urge one railway in preference to another. Mr Holland said his league had come to the conclusion that the East Coast line should be, the trunk line. Neither the Nelson o' Blenheim line could possibly pay. It was not a question of whether one province should benefit it was what w as best for the whole Dominion. Mr W. J. Moffatt said he would second the amendment. They had a report from Mr Holmes an ex-Government railway engineer, and he had reported that the fine on the West Coast could be put through for less than £1.000,000. In the past Nelson and the West Coast had been ignored in the matter of railway expenditure. The Nelson and West Coast people had been long suffering, and he thought they were entitled to prior consideration, lie was not opposing the construction of the East Coast line. He considered that both routes were deserving of consideratlojl‘r H. F. Drewe thought the conference was treading on dangerous ground in dealing with the question of railways. He questioned whether the Canterbury people had acted wisely in deciding that the East line should be a trunk line. He was not prepared to vote for either the motion or the amendment. Mr Coulter, in reply, said it was not a local or a branch line he was advocating. but the East Coast line was neither He was not opposed to the West Coast project. It was just a question of precedence. If the conference advocated the two lines simultaneously it would fall between two spools and get nothing. He was convinced that the East Coast line was a good commercial proposition and could be completed promptly. , . , The Chairman said this difference of opinion was simply playing the Government’s game. He suggested that the Buller. Nelson, and Marlborough delegates could meet and come to some decision. The conference then went into committee. On resuming in open conference it was agreed to delete clause 1, relating to distance and the words stating that the East Coast route was the most suitable. The amended motion was then carried. RAILWAY TO MURCHISON. Mr W T . J. Moffatt moved—“ That the Government be urged to extend the railway to Murchison within the next three years.” He said that for financial reasons alone it- was essential that this line be completed. It would not be costly to construct. The construction of this line had been too long delayed. Mr Coulter, in seconding the motion, said he thought it would be in the interests of. the Dominion as a whole to have this work done.. The conference then went into committee, and ultimately decided that the resolution be amended to read:“That in the opinion of. this conference the work now proceeding on the railway line from Glenhqne to Murchison should‘be greatly accelerated in the interests of national economy, so that the line should be made productive at the earliest possible date.” Tbe motion was carried in this form. MAIN HIGHWAYS ACT. Mr P. R. Climie moved —“That, in the opinion of this conference, clause 21 of the Main Highways Act should be so amended as to make it mandatory on the Highways Board to apportion the money between the Nprth and South Islands definitely on the basis of the number of motor vehicles in use in each island,” The mover said that th£ draughtsman had evidently intended that the clause should be mandatory. The motion was seconded by Mr Goulter The Chairman supported the motion. The Act he said, required amending, and he hoped that this year would see further amendments. There was every reason why ths moneys ear-marked for one island should be so ear-marked for all time Mr G. H. Judd supported the motion, which, on being put to the meeting, was carried unanimously. Mr Climie moved “That while this con. feronce fully appreciates the mo i liberal provision contained in the Main Highways Amendment Act, 1925, in respect to the payment of subsidies; it hereby expresses the opinion that the Highways Board should be given discretionary power to. increase the subsidies payable on any class of road repair bevond 50 ner cent, of the cost thereof." The mover said the intention of the remit was to give the Highways Board discretionary power to increase the subsidies payable on any class of road repair. Mr H. Holland, M.P.. in seconding the motion, said the main roads in Canterbury were, generally sneaking, in a good condition. but there were others where the condition was not.so satisfactory. That was the difference between the roads in the two islands. Mr Goulter supported the motion. Mr Steel said the position in the two islands was materially different. Tn the South Island the roads were properly laid down. A conference of local bodies had decided that a comprehensive loan should he raised to lay down these main roads properly. He would like to see the remit altered so that thev could ask for a grant of not less than £2 for £1 for maintenance ■works. Tie Chairman said the Otago local bodies were unanimous in asking for the subsidy mentioned by Mr Steel. Mr Climie in replying, said that the cubsi-dv should be on a sliding scale. Tie Chairman said 93 per cent, of the

traffic on the main highways in Otago was foreign traffic, and led to sce" : reports. The local bodies were not in a position to nay for the maintenance ot these roads. The Otago delegates were, however, prepared to accept the remit as it stood. Tie motion was carried. COMMITTEE OF SOUTH ISLAND MEMBERS. Mr Drewe (South Island) moved)—‘‘That steps he taken immediately the forthcoming session of Parliament opens again to organise the committee of South Island members.” He said they all recognised that the personnel of Parliament had altered since last conference. He thought too that the members should submit reports. Mr Steel seconded the motion. He said that the Otago Expansion League was particularly fortunate in having members who looked after their interests particularly well. He specially mentioned Mr T. K. Sidey, M I*'.', who was unusually active and attentive. The motion was carried. TOWN PLANNING. Mr Drewe moved—“ That this conference of South Island Progress Leagues congratulates the Prime Minister upon the decision to have a Town Planning B'R drafted, and brought before Cabinet for approval during the forthcoming session In this connection the conference respectfully asks that before final 1 passed, the Prime Minister submits draft copes of the Bill to South Island leagues “comment Mr Drewe said the main necessity was for the planning of main routes and other importrait matters and getting away from the present patchwork system. Mr Moffatt seconded the motion, and congratulated (im Southland League in bringing the matter forward. People who had land to dispose of evolved all sorts of schemes in subdividing land. The Chairman said (hat it mattered not where the land to he subdivided was the conditions should be the same. The motion was carried. FORESTRY. Mr Alexander (Southland) moved—“ That (his conference of South Island Progress leagues considers the State Forestry S< r vice should follow a more consecutive afforestation policy for the South IshjnL and should accordingly adopt a more exte - sive Plan of planting operations in the various districts. The conference is further of opinion that in so far as the Dominion is concerned the total amount of revenue derived by the Forestry Service in anj one particular State forest area should, to as great an extent ns possible, be ex pi ml M in the development of forestry in such area. He said the object of the remit was to spur nlpartment 1... He understood that some fIO.CKD i en collected in Southland by way of royaUies, etc. ami none of that money had so . tar been spent in the province.]The r in Southland were rapid j _ depleted, and nothing was being done in the of reafforestation. . « Mr Steel seconded the motion. ? e thor , the Otago Expansion League was in thor ou"di accord with the remit. He ,"’oui ’ like the delegates to see the timber in tt rnsm, Court They would there see timber "which had been grown in the City Corporation reserves within the pas dn veers When the corporations Mai nnrf scheme was completed they would have a belt of forest 90 miles long by on and mv(A ’.fitter quoted instances benefits to landowners gained through treeplanting in Canterbury. DIRECT MELBOURNE SERVICE. rJFiSftt'&sns pnmmie. •>;" | ,, Sr r S'nk^ P " Z°s IwT.iul t-s M.mika) 1» l» w.i.«• r ... s IS -- srss attractions of Southern “Jontinue mover thought that . .. South seconded the motion. The Otago Expansion I.eague he strong on this point “ “® c £ n tlie faciliShlp Company would pi fflc jt ~a s * ties they vvould mn a ' ny o wed to tion, which was ~i ed. •c'ttt STEAMER SERVICE WITH FIJI. i “That the Governr“,”proP«»> 'itSS fc chief direct stearner se an( j g amoa . South Island ports * the QovernThat, should it be necessary tt r 0 £ W’&ssß&raTi-f eo".id r£ .>»f E ” JI? Steel* ««Sn3ed motion, and mked ~°t r “ d |h‘i on Comp t am'' VO eSeS »™th”.s bteam Ship Company again get quite a' good trade. Steel, The motion, as amended by Mr cue was carried. HOSTEL AT MILFORD SOUND. Mr Alexander moved —“That this conference of South Island Progress Leagues L of opinion that the Government should during the forthcoming session, place i the Estimates a sufficient sum to provide for the erection of a suitable hostel at Milford Sound. At the present time the need for proper accommodation is ret.ml ing the popularisation of this famous scenic resort, and this accordingly has an adverse effect on the progress ot South Island tourist resorts. The mover said there was no reason why there should not be a direct ..'attic from Melbourne to Milford Sound. It was understood that the Government had purchased the property owned by the late Mr Donald Sutherland, which looked as it the Government purposed doing something in the matter. No matter what the beauties of the place may. be, if there are no ■ facilities the place had no attractions Steel, in seconding the motion, said it was absolutely esesntial that there should be a hostel at Milford. Quite a number of people vvould be prepared to pay for accommodation at Milford ''bor® they could stay for several days it: facilities were offered. A hostel at Milford was not a local thing. It was of national importance. PUBLICITY AGENT IN AUCKLAND. Mr Dick moved—“ That the delegates from the various leagues discuss the matter of continuing to contribute towards the expenses of keeping the South Island publicity agent at Auckland.” He said the agent at Auckland was doing very good work, and they were desirous of retaining his services. . Mr Climie, in seconding the motion, said he could not commit his branch’, to any expenditure. That vvould have to be dealt with by the branches. The Chairman said what the mover and seconder wanted was to see that the South Island got a fair deaf. The publicity agent in Auckland was doing splendid work, and the southern provinces were now feeling the benefits. The position was that Utago, Southland, and Canterbury were contributing £IOO between them towards the cost, and Marlborough was paying £ls. Mr Moffatt said he vvould convey the information to the Nelson League and he foil quite sure that they vvould be willing to contribute. Mr Goulter spoke similarly with regard to continuing the contribution. Mr Alexander said the provinces concerned were paying £IOO to an agent of the White Star. The question was: were they getting full value for their money. It was probable that they were not going tar enough. It vvould perhaps be advisable to pay a man who could devote the whole of his time to their work. Mr Climie said he did not like the idea of the league's being linked up with a proprietary concern which aimed at profits. It only required some one connected with an opposition concern to attack it and the leagues vvould not have a leg to stand on. Mr Moffat agreed with Mr Climie that the leagues should be on an independent footing. The conference had been urging the improved railway services, and thev were employing a man connected with a prominent motor service At the same time he was sure that h : « league would he quite nrepared to contribute financially It seemed an extraordinary thing that we had a Tourist Department which was not attending to matters of this kind.

The Chairman said the tourist agent in Auckland was out to boost Rotorua. He thought a sub-committee should be appointed to consider the question. After some further discussion it was decided to withdraw the motion and the following was substituted: —“That this conference affirms the principle of having a publicity agent in Auckland, and resolves that a sub-committee consisting of Messrs Climie. Drewe and Macdonald be set up to consider the matter and submit its findings to the various leagues. This was carried unanimously. IMMIGRATION. Mr Alexander moved the following remit: —“That the conference discuss the question of immigration for the South Island.” tie said he did not know how far the conference could go in this matter. He thought there was no doubt that immigrants should be brought here. The remit was brought forward with the object of getting the views of all the leagues. Mr Moffat said the whole question ot immigration was more or less bound up with the land question. “Unless you have got some sort of humanitarian system of land settlement,” he added, “you vvould get nowhere.” Mr Climie said this was an important question, but it was quite to estimate the absorption of immigrants Hie Government did not, he said, seem very much inclined to depart from the policy which it had laid down. He was afraid that until the Government showed some inclination to co-operate with the leagues they would not get very far. Mr O&ulter said one-half of Marlborough was Crown land and it was essential that this should be settled. Mr Macdonald said the Otago Expansion League was thoroughly in sympathy with the nominated system, and he was sure (!iat they were on very very sound lines. On the other hand ho was absolutely opposed the views expressed hy. Mr Leigh Hunt on the question of immigration. . , , Mr Alexander, in reply, said that it was more than a Dominion question, it was an Imperial question. If it wore not looked at from (hat point of view they were going to be left behind. He knew that one out of 10 farmers was prepared to employ suitable labour if it were forthcoming. One of the troubles was that far too many unqualified immigrants were coming to the Dominion, and the success of any immigration scheme depended almost wholly on proper selection. He thought that the ventilation the subject had received vvould justify him in asking that the question he referred back to the various leagues for further consideration. This met with unanimous approval. ROAD TO WESTLAND. Mr M’Kay (Otago) moved: “That the time is opportune lor the construction of a road to connect Lake Wanaka with tUe road system of South Westland. This district Offers facilities for timber production, dairying, and tourist traffic unequalled in any portion of the Dominion, and a road through the territory will open up large areas of land for settlement.” Mr M’Kay said he had been through this country some two years ago. It was very heavily wooded, and where the land had been cleared it had been shown to 6e very fertile. There were difficulties in the matter of settlement owing to lack of communication, and it was noped to obtain tome improvements in this respect. At present it was only possible to get through by pack-horse Very tew people realised that there wm-e yet people who were pioneering and enduring hardships similar to those endured by the early pioneers of the Dominion. He did not think expense should be spared in a case like this. The settlers themselves were quite prepared to assist. There were quite a number of people inquiring about land at Makarora, and were only awaiting facilities and means of access. At present those living there ■have to get their provisions by launch to Hokitika, which boat only ran once in three months, sometimes the bar would not permit of the launch getting in. Mr Macdonald seconded the motion. He said the land over there was all good land, and for the expenditure of a few thousand pounds a good track could be made. Mr Climie said that on behalf of the Westland Committee of the Canterbury League he was prepared to support the remit. He thought it would be an excellent thing if they could connect up the reading system in that locality. Messrs Moffat and Goulter also supported the motion, which was carried. TREE-PLANTING. Mr Steal moved; “That a policy of treeplanting on disused mining claims and other waste lands be inaugurated by the State Forestry Department, or a system of subsidising local bodies prepared to undertake the work be arranged by the department.” The mover said the question of the afforestation of this class of land had occupied the attention of the people of Otago and Southland for some time. The, country was cursed with large areas of this class of land which were breeding two pests —rabbits and gorse. The planting of those areas would certainly rid them of these pests and vvould at the same time inciease the productivity of the land and country. Mr Alexander, in seconding the motion, said the Southland people were endeavouring to get local bodies interested in this project. The Southland League had been working on the subject of this remit for some time, and he saw no reason why the royalties obtained from forests should not be used in planting. He understood the policy of the Government was to assist local bodies in planting trees on ! «nd which was not suited for any other purpose. The motion was spoken to and supported by Mr Goulter and then carried unanimously. HIGHWAYS. Mr Macdonald moved —“That tile Government be requested to amend the Highways Act to enable the Highways Beard to take over all declared main highways and treat them as Government roads, raising a comprehensive loan for the purpose, retaining all motor taxation whether through Customs or licence fees or tyre tax, increasing these if necessary to provide interest and sinking fund for the loan.” He said it appeared to him that .1 would be ICO years before the main roads o) the Dominion would be put in a pro per state of repair at the present rate ol progress. He knew of a road 50 mdes in length which would cost £IOOO per mile to put in a proper state of repair I’hitt road was carrying 93 per cent, of foreign traffic. It was not fair to ask the ratepayers to do this work. This was a duty laid upon the Government. Mr Gouiter, in seconding the motion, said he agreed with the remarks made by the mover. Mr Moffat supported the motion. He took it that if the Government took the matter in hand it would be dona systematically and scientifically. The Chairman- In other words, we want to do away with the wheelbarrow and long-handled shovel system of making roads The Chairman said the Act at present had the newer to declare a road a public highway, but the onject of the remit was to make it mandatory. Mr Judd thought the remit was a step in the Mght direction. County councils at on time opposed the idea, but they had now changed their minds. Mr Climie thought it should be the duty of the various leagues to urge tne county councils to take the matter up. On Mr Moffat’s suggestion it was re solved that the matter be referred to all the county councils in the South Island. This was added to the motion, which was tarried unanimously. Mr Steel moved “That the Department of Agricultre be complimented on the initial work carried out in connection with tne Bovs’ and Girls’ Agriculture Club movement throughout the Dominion, and that, in the opinion of the delegates at the South Island Progress Leagues, the club movement should bo considerably extended and reorganised to bring it into line with club work as being carried out so successfully in other countries.” He said the idea behind the movement was to show the children of the Dominion that there was money in the counrrv. They had “to creep before they could run.’ The mague had encourage I school children to grow potatoes and this had been successfully oar ried out. The Otago Expansion League had realised dint the idea could be enlarged upon. The league, with the cooperation of Mr R. B. Tennent, purposed going into this question during the winter. The members honed to be able to show that from the land comes the wealth of the Dominion. For that reason greater productivity was essential. There was a great future before this movement. . Mr Alexander seconded the motion. He knew fmm personal exr-m-ience the good effects which had resulted from the movement in’tffnted lw the Otago Expansion League. He thought the whole thing should be taken in hand as n Dominion movement The whole system of instruction required to be continuous. Then was not that ro-nrclination between the Department of Education and the Department of Agriculture that was essential to success. He did not know that thev should not go further and have the whole question of agriculture l education gone into thoroughly. He believed that the movement was full of possibilities. Mr Moffat congratulated the mover and

seconder on their remarks. He said the resolution should probably go a little further. Air Steel thought it would be better to leave the remit as it was moved. He had discussed the matter with Air Tennent, and they had come to the conclusion that to deal with the matter in a general way was all that was required meantime. Air Alexander thought the remit should go through as moved. The motion was then carried. CONCLUSION. The Chairman thought the delegates were to be congratulated on the result of the conference. He thanked them for their attendance. He hoped that as a result of their visit to Dunedin they would be convinced that this city was not the "little fishing village” as it had been termed by a northern gentleman. Air Aloffat proposed a vote of thanks to the chairman, and in doing so he complimented the people of Dunedin on the splendid display at the Exhibition. Air Alexander complimented the Dulled' ■’ people on their hospitality. He for one looked on Dunedin as his home town. Messrs Wood, Judd, Goulter, and Climie spoke on similar lines. THE NEXT CONFERENCE. The latter extended an invitation to the delegates to hold the next annual conference in Christchurch. —The invitation was accepted.