OTAGO EXPANSION LEAGUE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22632, 25 July 1935, Page 15

OTAGO EXPANSION LEAGUE

'ANNUAL REPORT | j The annual report of the Otago Fxpansion League, to be presented at the annual meeting of members next Tuesdav evening, states: — From its inception the league has pinned its faith upon the advent of the tourist as the surest method of securing a | permanent prosperity for the province, , and, in fact, for the whole Dominion. Most of our publicity expenditure and I much of our activity has beeu directed towards this end. In common with kindred societies and other bodies interested, we had long felt that something more than a Government department was needed to foster aud stimulate the traffic, especially in connection with the publicity and overseas advertising. Representations had been made to the Ministers who from time to time have been placed in charge of tourists and health resorts, and finally the present holder ot the portfolio called a Dominion conference to consider the question and advise what steps, if any, should be taken. The conference met in Wellington, when representatives of every interest connected with the reception, accommodation, and transport of visitors were present. Tiie league was represented by Messrs G. J. Errington, R. S. Black, and the secretary. After a prolonged and instructive consideration of the position an all but unanimous resolution was passed recommending the appointment of a tourist hoard to control the whole business, including overseas agente and representatives, shipping companies, railways, motor transport, hotels, local bodies and leagues, and travel associations were combined in urging upon the Minister this important movement, and the Minister promised to ; place the matter before Cabinet. It was ] especially stressed at the meeting that I the board must have power to act, and i all interested waited for the Govern- , ment's decision. It came finally in the ; manner dear to the politician's heart m . the shape of a compromise—the appointment of an Advisory Committee whom the Minister could consult. , There is only one South Island member on the committee, and, in our opinion, its creation will have little or no value. The feeling amongst the majority of those who recommended the board is to give \ the Advisory Committee a term of probation and then return to the old demand for a board representative of the best in the Dominion which would speak and act with authority. During the year the Government has finally agreed to a course of action long advocated by the league—the appoint- j ment of direct representatives overseas. The league feels that this ifl only a be- i' ginning, and while this was being writ- ' ten came the news that Mr Clinkard, the general manager of the department, had been transferred to Europe with a similar object, making his headquarters in Brussels.

The Railways Board paid an official visit to Dunedin during the year and received a deputation from the league. Two subjects were submitted for further consideration—the duplication of the hew north line from St. Leonards to Sawyers' Bay, and the reduction of suburban fares to a level with those ruling in the Auckland suburban section. Although very well received by the board, the deputation did not succeed in converting it to the league's point of view, for recently we were notified that, under present conditions, the traffic did not warrant an extension of the duplication, and the board could not risk losing further revenue by a reduction of suburban fares. On the question of a different method of traction, however, better results are in sight. For many years Mr G. J. Errington, a past president of the league, has steadily proclaimed the fact that for some kinds of traffic a simpler and more mobile engine than the steam locomotive was essential. The chairman of the Railways Board has now gone abroad himself "to see and understand," and ope of his principal tasks will be to mark the progress of the Diesel electric motor and finally decide upon its merits. New road construction in Otago has been limited of recent years since the cessation of the work on the road along Lake Wauaka. The completion of. the Queenstown-Kingston road is now within measurable distance, and its completion trill of necessity compel the authorities to go on with the road from Queenstown to Gleuorchy, which will be a major work covering a few years. The league's great ideal is still the road to Westland via the Haast. We claim that Nature's gateway is the soundest policy and the most economical. During the year, the league participated in a movement for the betterment of the Peninsula high road. The famous scenic drive was deteriorating very rapidly as a motor road, but, a great improvement has been effected. The league also took part in an agitation to E reserve some of the better portion of ush which still fringes the Catlius-Wai-kawa road. Unfortunately very little Crown land is left in this district which could be declared a reserve, and the State cannot afford to buy back areas now in private hands. The road itself is being improved, and this second road to Southland will become more popular, especially ne a summer road. The steamer service to Melbourne was one of the active movements of the year. The elaborate arrangements for the celebration of the centenary attracted a great crowd of visitors to Melbourne, and many representations were made to the Union Steam Ship Company to reopen the once popular route. The company agreed, but the selection of the Maheno to carry out thq service met with a good deal of unfavourable criticism. The reconditioning of the steamer was on such a scale as to silence most of the opponents, and the service from a passenger point of view was a popular success. Another steamer will carry out the running during the coming summer. The inclusion of Hobart as a port of call has been long urged by the league, and the Tasmanian Government has shown its keen desire for the connection by placing a trade representative iu New Zealand. Arrangements are now being made for the new service steamer to call at Hobart on alternate voyages. / The purchase of electric power by the city authorities from the Waitaki power station necessitated the Erection of a high tension power line down the main North road. Representations were made to the league that the line should come to Halfway Bush by another route than thai selected by the authorities, and active steps were taken to support this contention, much correspondence and a visit to Wellington being entailed. Nothing could moye the chief electrical engineer, however, and the route originally selected was adhered to.

The use o£ the air for popular transport of passengers, mails, and lighter goods is growing rapidly in public favour. So radical a change in method naturally calls for great changes., especially in regard to landing areas. To the possession of a harbour and a railway station any city cf modern days must, add an airport or be out.of date. This was foreseen by the league, and a respected past president (Mr Charles Todd) purchased an area at Green Island for that purpose and presented it to the city. The league still feels that a mistake was made in not proceeding with the work necessary to make the area the landing place, and that it could be made a safe and accessible port of arrival and departure. The merits of Green Island and its utilisation should be more fully investigated before a second mistake is made in selecting an aerodrome.

By the death of Mr Adolf Moritzson the league lost one of its most ardent well-wishers and one of its principal founders.