DUNEDIN EXPANSION LEAGUE

Otago Witness, Issue 3102, 27 August 1913, Page 81

DUNEDIN EXPANSION LEAGUE

FIRST ANNUAL MEETING. THE TEAR’S PROGRESS. Tho annual meeting of the Dunedin Expansion League was held on the 19th in the Oity Council Chambeie. Mr G. Fenwick (vice-president) presided, in the absence of the president (Mr A. Bathgate), who is at present absent from the dominion. There was a very good attendance of members and contributors, and the keynote of the meeting was a feeling of satisfaction with the manner in which the League has already justified its existence and taken root, so to speak, in the community.

THE CHAIHMAN’S ADDEKSS. In moving the adoption of the annual report and balance sheet the chairman said : It is gratifying to tho executive to see so large a gathering here to-nignt, for it betokens interest in the welfare oi the league and will have the effect of encouraging those who have been entrusted with the admin.stration of its affairs to go on with the work they have in liand. 1 regret very much that the president is not here to take the chair to-night and to share the pleasure experienced by his colleagues on the executive in meeting such a large body of committeemen and members of the league. I think the executive and the members of the various committees may reasonably claim that they have given very earnest attention to the affairs of the league, and, further, that the work they have performed and the results justify the league’s formation and its continued existence. Both ■in the case of the executive and the committees the work involved has been taxing, and has necessitated the holding of no fewer than 106 meetings during the' year. Tho attendance at those meetings has been surprisingly good, and there are many members whose regular appearance at almost every meeting has been most praiseworthy. As to the business people of the city, who have come- forward with substantial members’ subscriptions for a period of three years, I desire on behalf of the executive to express its appreciation of the generous support which has been afforded it, and the confidence shown that tho funds so willingly subscribed would bo prudently managed and carefully expended It is believed by tho executive that that confidence has not been misplaced. Ncceesarily, the outlay has beon fairly large. The- question of finance is most important, for on the provision of funds depends to a very large extent the success or otherwise of the league’s operations. While care has been exercised by tho executive in spending the league’s funds, it has only been by the utmost watchfulness that the expenditure has beon kept within the revenue, and for tho year which has just been entered upon there is plenty of scope for useful outlay all funds that will bo available. It is essential that the membership should bo increased if the executive is to be placed in tho postion of giving effect to proposals that have engaged the attention of tho committees. There is, for example, the question of taking in hand the promotion of an Otago Week, during which a good display of the manufactures and products of this part of the dominion should be got together. The Trades and Industries Committee is of opinion that a period'cal display of this kind affords one of the best means of helping the trade of Dunedin, as there are large numbers of people who do not realise how much manufacturers are doing to keen in the forefront of the resjiective industries in winch they are engaged. It is fitting that this means of keeping the manufactures of Dunedin and the Otago district well to the front should be helped by the league, and I believe that such money as can bo spared for tho purpose would ho well spent. It is necessary, however, that a larger sum than is at present available should be provided if anything in this direction is to be done. Then it is essential that the efforts of the league to stimulate the tourist traffic to Dunedin and Otago should bo liberally provided for. The printing of pamphlets and leaflets runs into a good deal of money, and the projected issue of a Guide to Dunedin, for the use of visitors from other parts of New Zealand and overseas countries, will also involve a considerable expenditure. The manuscript of this guide is now revised ami in the hands of the committee, and it is hoped that a start with the* printing will be made slvortly. There arc other channels of expenditure involved in tho endeavour of the league to keep the attractions and potentialities of Dunedin as a tourist resort and as a field for the extension of manufacturing industry yell in the fore-front, and I trust that those who are interested in the welfare of the C'tv and the country districts of which it is tho outlet, and who are not yet members of the league, will now come forward and join its ranks. “ Among the valuable work performed by the committers I nny specially mention the combined efforts of the Trades and Industries Committee and the Country Development Committee to bring pointedly under the notice of the Government tho necessity of promoting a more vigorous system of immigration. Those committees drew up a letter and an inquiry form, which were sent to a large number of our leading manufacturers. Farmers’ Unions, etc., asking for sp'Hrfic information as to the number of additional hands they could employ, and the rep’ies the comm’ttee received were such as to warrant the executive in communicating tho results to the Government. This was done by means of a deputation to the Hon. 11. D. Bell, who promised to give the facts brought before him the fullest consideration. and it is gencra.l'v understood that, as a result of tho league’s efforts, tho High Commissioner for the dominion in London is making strong efforts to induce larger emigration of the right class of people to the dominion. A circular giving useful information to intending immigrants was a'so published by the committee. Tho Trades and Industries Committee gathered a lot of information concerning available factory 6 ; tes, and this has been convoyed to n good many firms who will probably find it valuable to them in inquiries it is understood they were making with regard to establishing manufactures.

“It Is with pleasure I acknowledge, on behalf of the executive, the exceptionally good work done hr the Country Development Committee It has co-operated with the various railway leagues of this part of the dominion in urging upon the Cnvemment that the claims of the Otago railways should receive adequate attention, and, above all, the committee, and especially its energetic chairman (Mr Moritrson). did yeoman service in the_ successful tour through Central Otago in January hv a number of the northern and local members

of Parliament. The northern members were in nearly every instance greatly surprised at the potentialities of various parts of the immense district they traversed, and have arrived at a much juster estimate of the importance of the line than they previously possessed. “ The Natural Resources Development Committee and Tourist and Amenities Committee have done sensible and valuable work. The former body mainly concerned itself with points connected with probable legislative hindrances to alluvial mining, and on the other hand with the pollution of streams by that form of mining operations. It also arranged with the Minister of Mines to give the league notice of any proposed alterations in the Mining Act and the Coal Mining Act, so that due consideration might be given to these in the interests of those likely to be affected by them. The Tourist and Amenities Committee has done a large amount of valuable work, including the preparation of a number of illustrated pamphlets describing the scenic glories of this part of New Zealand. These have been printed under the supervision of the Publicity Committee, and large numbers of thepi have been sent to Australia, Great Britain, and other parts of the world. Mr Bathgate succeeded in arranging for the distribution of the pamphlets by an important firm of shipping agents at Singapore. They will be placed on board a number of creamers for which the firm is agent at that port. Among the other activities of the Tourist and Amenities Committee may be mentioned interviews the chairman and some of the members had with the Harbour Board and the Railway Department in order to secure the carrying out of certain improvements in the approach to Dunedin when the railway line between Dunedin and Ilavcnsbourne is being straightened. They were most courteously met, and certain improvements suggested by the committee were agreed to. “ The Publicity Committee has also been an active body, and lias done much good work in bringing to the front the advantages and attractions Dunedin and Otago offer to tourists, fruitgrowers, and others. It has supervised the publication of the pamphlets and leaflets issued by the league, and also looked after the publication of the pamphlet on fruit-growing containing a lecture delivered by Mr H. Clarke, the careful preparation for the printer of the matter for the guide to Dunedin, in the compilation and writing of which Mr M. Johnson did good service, and in other directions has proved one of the most useful of the league’s committees. “The Educational Committee has done commendable work, and has given earnest attention to a number of matters in which the interests of this part of the dominion are involved, one practical result of its activities being the securing of higher leaving certificates for pupils of the Girls High School, that privilege having previously been denied them An important question investigated by the committee was that of the disposal of the income from the educational reserves of Otago. The assistance of Mr J. C. Stephens in placing the position before the Otago members of Parliament was ob tained, and that gentleman very lucidly dealt with the subject. . " Of the work of the Legislation Vigilance Committee I am enabled to speak in terms of commendation, and this committee has to its credit the excellent suggestion that a meeting of ihe league, and all the Otago members of Parliament should be arranged in order that there might be a free discussion of all matters affecting the welfare of the provincial district This meeting proved to ho of signal service in inducing a unanimity of opinion on many important matters.

"I may mention-an effort that was made to secure for the city the beautiful piece of bush-clad country in the North-East Valley known as Bethune’s Gully. Through the efforts of the executive the City Council and the Acclimatisation Society were induced to confer in an endeavour to secure Bothune’s Gully as a civic and acclimatisation reserve, hut the negotiations unfortunately proved futile owing to the existence of a lease one of (he conditions of which provided for the cutting down of the timber on the land. It was found to lie impossible to prevent this destruction except at a prohibitive cost, and this beautiful piece of bush scenery is consequently being destroyed. •• It is with very deep regret that I have to make reference to the serious illness of the secretary (Mr Arbcr). For the first six months following Ills appointment Mr Arb»r proved himself a most active and thoroughly efficient officer, but. unfortunately, lie was in April overtaken by a very serious attack o: illness, and has been confined to his bed ever since. The execubve was fortunate in securing the services of Mr .1. E. Stewart Wright, who has devoted himself with great assiduity to the work of the league.— (Applause.) Mr Arbcr was granted leave oi absence for a term, but I am sorry to say that lie is still in a very precarious state of health'.

“ The year closed with a l>alanee of expenditure over income of £54 Is lid, >n which, however, are included the expenses inc’donta! to the formation of the league and membership campaign expenses, these two ibms practically accounting for the amount of debit. It is hoped that at the close of the present year the account will balance itself.” — (A pplause. 1 A WORD FOR THE FUTURE. In seconding the motion Mr P. R. Pargood said he could not but offer his congratulations to the league, the members of the various committees, and the general public of the province upon the really excellent work that had so far been done. Never, he ventured to think, since the earliest days of the province hud so much live interest been manifested in the extension of its trade, industries, and general welfare. He trusted that the general body of the community would recognise the efforts which had been put forward, and would show their recognition by liberal financial assistance and appreciation. After expressing his regret that Mr Arbcr should have been laid aside by illness at the very initiation of his work, Mr Sargood went rn to deal with the various activities undertaken by the league, treating first the questions of membership and finance. To carry on their work in a proper manner, he said, they must hav6 the liberal and spontaneous support of all sections of the community, and though the report stated that the first year was the, most difficult, it was not wished to infer that any slackness might now he allowed to creep in. On the contrary, they must have further vigour instilled into the executive and the people of Otago, by mutual help and recognition, and by a ready response to the call for mwi, money, and members. The disposition to eaeist shown by the city and some suburban ooun-

cillors indicate a healthy and broad-minded j conviction that the league was not only doing good work, but was needed to further tiie prosperity of Otago. Dealing with the committees controlling the eu beets of trades, industries, and country development, the speaker said that those committees had under their management some of the most important branches of the league—branches through which the future prosperity of Otago might be materially controlled and encouraged. Coming to the subject of factory sites in Dunedin and immigration, Mr Sargood said that the first without the second covered only so much waste land lying idle, but in their anxiety to encourage Dunedin ' industries he trusted the committee would j not overlook the greater area of factory sites j lying jdfl© in the country districts where, under a wiso and well-administered imml- ! gration policy, the industries of farming, dairying, fruit-growing, etc., would be vastly encouraged, and the land made to produce enormous crops •for a sturdy and happy population Get these country sites filled up first, and the city sites would soon be taken up by industrial factories. With this much-to-be- desired consummation ran in close relationship that of transporation by means of roads and railways—to be placed well ahead of settlement —if the finances of the country would permit. It was no use, however, spending sums of money to open the country unless they had a population e:ther at the door or ready to come in at call, and in that connection the question of boy and girl immigration might well engage the attention of all classes of the community who desired to see the future of the Empire assured. Where could they find in this country sufficient provision for teaching the rising generation the rudiments ol a country life except in the practical work pu the farms, which, as at present constituted, brought much physical, mental, and educational disability on the young children? The more he studied ir.e question the more convinced was he that some system of training farms, other than these more technical ones they had it present, must be adopted, either direct! v under the control and run by the Government, or initiated and carried out by private enterprise, subsidised by the Government of the dominion, and probably by the Home Government, public bodies, and social improvement societies of Great Britain. Such a combination of effort must, and surely would result in the peopling of the Empire with their own kith and kin, and by so doing not only develop their lands for the benefit of their own people, but assure their defence against envious foreign nationalities.

After briefly z-eferring to one or two other matters, including that of encouraging tourists, the speaker concluded by stating that though the many brandies of activity which engaged the attention of the league permitted of, the executive being composed of men of varying moods in jzo'itics, all might work together in a common interest—namely, the immediate and future prosperity of the Otago province—that, he was sure, was the thought, which animated' each member of the league.—(Applause.) The motion was then carried. OFFICK-BEAUEIIS. The election of president was then proceeded with. The Chairman moved the reelection of Mr A. Bathgate to this office.— Mr Moritzson seconded the motion, which was carried. The following three gentlemen were elected vice-presidents;—Messrs A. Moritzson. G. Fenwick, and P. R. Bar good. Tho following were appointed to fill vacancies on the various committees:— Membership and Finance.—Messrs J. W. Smith and W. S. Wilson. Trades and Industries. —Messrs J. Black, P. K. Sargood, J. Wilson, and J. Wallace. Country Development. —Messrs I. Green, C. T. Paterson, and K. W. Brickell. Natural Resources Development. —Profcsiors Park and Waters. Tourist, and Amenities. —Messrs J. T. Johnson, J. M'George, F H. Campbell, and Dr Riley. Educational Committee. —Messrs C. R. Richai'd'-on and W. Davidson. Publicity Committee. —Morses J. Dick, R. A. Ewing, and W. G. Somerville. Legislation Viligance Committee. —Messrs A. J. Butterfield, R. Gi'kison, and J. C. Stephens. Mr 11. E. Wilson was re-elected lion, treasurer and Mr Peter Barr was reappointed auditor. OEXEUAL. During the course of some discussion that ensued one or two matters of interest were alluded to by members, and referred to the consideration of the executive. Mr Moritzson commented on the failure of forne of the local merchants to help the league’s finances. They required, at any rate, another £SOO or £6OO, and lie hoped that tlu necessary assistance would ho forthcoming. In response to a suggestion that the league should look for assistance to some of the people in the country districts. Mr Morii/son pointed out that those districts had leagues of their own, and that they were often nut to considerable expense, such as on the occasion of the recent visit of parliamentarians to the Central. They had a splendid field in Dunedin, and so far as financial assistance was concerned they could well confine their attention to that.

Tlie meeting closed with a hearty vote of thunks to Mr Fenwick for his services during the year and for the manner in which he hud conducted the mooting.