ADVERTISING DUNEDIN.

Otago Witness, Issue 2988, 21 June 1911, Page 46

ADVERTISING DUNEDIN.

DISCUSSION AT CITY COUNCIL. COMBINED ACTION ADVOCATED. After his reference to financial matters at the meeting of the City Council on the 19th Cr Stewart (chairman of the Finance Committee) said he would like to make a few remarks about the development of the city. The town clerk, in his interesting statement as to the views generally held by the cities as to the essentials necessary for progress, pointed out that in Christchurch the people desired— (1) The establishment oi a, direct and artificial waterway; (2) the reclamation of land on which to establish manufactures ; and (3) the supply of electric power for use in operating industries, which, it was contended, would come with almost mushroom growth, in consequence of the provision of a direct waterway with large areas of cheap land on which factories could be erected. The town clerk went on to point out that in Dunedin we already possessed the three factors which in Canterbury were being agitated for as the panacea for all its commercial ills, and yet our population was more or less stationary, and did not show that satisfactory increase which we might expect. It was well known, Or Stewart proceeded, that in the other centres efforts were being made by the' local bodies—the Chamber of Commerce, the Harbour Board, the railway leagues, and other bodies —to combine for the purpose of pushing forward the interests of their cities and attracting population by every means in their power. As far as Dunedin was concerned, he believed if a conference were held between the various bodies which were all working on separate lines here, each hoping to forward the, interests of the city, substantial good might bo done to attract population and promote the progress of the city. The Chamber of Commerce discussed the city's trade; the Harbour Board discussed port facilities; and there were railway leagues advocating the extension of the Oatlin's River line and the Otago Central line. Some years ago an Otago League was formed to represent the interests of Otago in all these connections, but it died from want of push and zeal. lie believed it was a great pity it died. Having regard to the fact that every increase of population, either to the city or to the suburbs, meant the progress of Dunedin, it would be a good thing if the City Council were to take steps to invite representatives from these bodies to meet and discuss ' matters, and see whether a common policy could not be evolved to further the development of the city and the province. There were cities in Europe which, by their efforts on particular lines, had made great strides and brought themselves into the front rank. One city had set itself out to become an educational centre, and by devoting large amounts of money to educational purposes had developed into a huge educational centre with an enormous population. It had been a profitable investment for that city from every iioint of view. Other cities had set themselves to secure trade by getting the necessary port facilities and cheap power for manufactures, and they also had become large cities. He believed Dunedin might'do the same, and would require to do the same, as it was handicapped, in comparison with other cities, in regard to back country and opportunities for settlement. He would certainly like to see a combined effort made by bodies interested in the city to promote its common interests. —(Applause.) Cr M'Donald supported Cr Stewart's suggestion, and pointed out the advantages that would accrue to Dunedin by the pushing on of the Catlins and Otago Central railways. If the proposed league were instituted, and the mayors and other public men throughout Otago were amalgamated in a huge body, cementing their energies in order that the district might be developed, it would mean a very great deal indeed for Otago. It would mean, too, that more public money would be spent in this part of the Dominion. Cr Wilson said he regretted that the OtagO' League had fallen through. He was favourable to the council taking a broad view of the position, and doing everything in its power to promote the welfare of the city. Cr Mariow and the Mayor (Mr Burnett) spoke in a similar strain, and councillors generally appeared to agree that the proposal put forward by Cr Stewart was a very valuable one.