OTAGO EXPANSION LEAGUE

Otago Witness, Issue 3315, 26 September 1917, Page 40

OTAGO EXPANSION LEAGUE

FIFTH ANNUAL REPORT. The Executive Committee of the Otago Expansion League, in the course of its fifth annual report, makes reference to the war, and passes on to state that, in spite of drawbacks, the work accomplished during the past 12 month? was varied and successful. No large sohemes had been entered upon, but the keynote of the year's work had been a persistent following up of tried paths and a quiet and steady preparation for the time of change and opportunity which all were able to see aheao\ The finances of the league had been maintained at a steady level throughout the year, and the balance sheet showed a 'remarkable evenness of transactions as compared with the previous period. The exertions of the Membership Committee had resulted inmost of the old subscribers continuing their interest in the league and its works, and a number of now supporters being secured. The country branches of the league had not been increased during year, but each of them had kept steadily on the path of progress, and every occasion on which their influence could be exerted for local advantage has been eagerly utilised. A proposal had been on foot to "increase the number of branches, and so make the league wore than ever a great provincial force. There were many active, intelligent, public-spirited citizens scattered through Otago who would doubtless be willing to take up the duties to which the league had applied itself, and who, by reason of their local knowledge would be a source of strength. The annual conference of the league with the local members of Parliament was a great success. The number of subjects introduced made a decided impression on the Cabinet Mmteters, and already they had taken steps to impress upon the heads of the departments concerned the necessity of keeping abreast of the needs of the city and province, lhe days of the forced war loan and big reinforcements are not the days of great internal improvements; but if the steady pressure and strong reason shown by the league in favour of its proposa}s were maintained, then the ultimate objective would be speedily gained when, the opportune time arrived. In this connection thanks were expressed to Mr T. K. Sidey and the other Otago members of Parliament, lhe question of the land tenures of Otago had been one of the most fruitful sources of the league's activities during the /ear. Brought forward originally by Mr W. I>. Hunt at one of the league's monthly luncheons, the question quickly gripped popular attention, and the executive, deciding that the further ventilation of this problem was one of vital interest, asked Mr Hunt to give a lecture on the subject. This was readily given, and the"' lecture, whioh was delivered under the auspices of the league and the Chamber of Commerce, was a masterly exooeition of a great provincial question. Following up this step, the executive called a conference of representatives from a number of local bodies, institutions, and organisations, which met in August. The open-air gymnasium erected by the City Council at the instigation of the league proved a great success, thanks to the enthusiasm of Mr Phillips, who designed the apparatus. Steps have been taken with a view to extending the use of apparatus of this sort. A number of remits were forwarded to the Government during the vear covering many proposals, and to all o"f these Ministers were giving or had promised consideration. The Country Development Committee reports as follows:—" The important question of land tenure has been carefully considered, and the settlement of Central Otago has assumed suoh an importance that the executive has taken the business in hand and no doubt something will be done to bring back the productive capacity to something like what was obtained in the pre-rabbit days. The dominion, ia losing a huge sum because of destruction caused by the rabbits, and the committee feels that a tenure that will conduce to closer settlement will fjreatly minimise this pest. Great volumes of water are running to waste right through the parched valleys of Otago. In most countries the hundreds of thousands of horse-power that could be generated would be applied to producing energy to start industries and irrigate the land. It is time that Otago people awakened to the fact that untold wealth can be created by harnessing these rivers and waterfalls. The Government should be compelled to do something in this direction, as it would be a pity to allow such a great source of wealth to pass into private hands. The Clyde-Cromwell railway will be opened in the near future. The fruit-growing pamphlet has been reissued with further additions, particularly a valuable paper on onion-growing. Lucerne is proving to be a valuable fodder m Central Otago, and trial plots justify the committee's strong recommendations to farmers to sow this prolifio and valuable feed in large quantities where the land is suitable. The National Apple Show demonstrated to all that Otago people were correct in their assertion that the rich lands and sunshine of Otago produce the best apples m the dominion. The Beaumont-Roxburgh road ja still in a deplorable state, and is no credit to the responsible authorities. Now that the railway to Roxburgh is hung up, the Government should be impressed with the necessity of assisting the Tuapeka County Council to make this road suitable for motor traffic. The present output of fruit is no\v heavy and in a few years the Government will be compelled to assist in putting down a proper macadamised road. The committee did its utmost to prevent the importation of fruit trees being stopped, but without avail. Prices are now in consequence much higher —a serious matter for new growers The export of white pine was also considered, and the Government urged to prohibit same During the year just passed a great deal of attention has been devoted to the question of an experimental farm for the centre of the province. It was felt by members that the results of experiments carried out in the more humid areas would be of small value when applied to the dry climate and different soil of the hinterland, and so no opportunity was missed of impressing the Minister of Agriculture with the need for a farm for Central Otago. A direct promise has not yet been secured, but we feel sure

the objective of the committee in this rOspcet will be ultimately secured The Tourist and Amenities Committee reports that its special functions havo been sadly curtailed by tho war. Although this country is so far removed from the scene of conflict, the number of holiday-makers has beon greatly reduced. The committee has taken every opportunity of bringing 1 under tho notice of the City Council smaller matters connected with tho beautifying of tho oity or the improvement of facilities for the comfort of tho citizens. Tho urgent need of the extension of the period for which holiday excursion tickets are issued to Qucenstown was laid before the Railway Department during the year, but no relief was obtained; and this and several othe£ projected will have to await the restamng of the railways. A matter of great interest to Otago and Southland—the better management of the motor service on the Jjumsden-Te Anau road —has received a great amount, of attention. Strong representations were placed before tho Minister; but although it has been found impossible to secure a vote for the repairs of the road, the committee received an assurance that strong cart will be placed in the running, an.'l that a better and swifter service might bo confidently anticipated during the incoiuirg season. The Publicity Committee reports that war conditions have greatly limited the extent of its operations. The committee has fore confined itself to the consideration of the situation in whioh as a community we shall find ourselves at the close of the war, and in planning out methods of campaign which may be advantageously pursued when peace is restored. In the early part of the year some advertising space was takon in one of the illustrated annuals which has a wide circulation in the Home Country. The league sent away lpO copies of this Christmas Annual (bearing a special label) to public institutions througheufc Australia, America, and England. In regard to publications, the reprinting of the league's pamphlet on "Fruit-growing in Central Otago" was considered, and Department of Agriculture, r when ar> proached on the subject, agreed to give a subsidy equal to one-half the cost of reprinting th.'a important booklet. In regard . to the republication of "Wondrous Wakatipu, this matter has been continually before the cornmittese, and, notwithstanding that previous applications were declined, the committee has persistently endeavoured to secure a Government grant towards reprinting this popular pamphlet. All efforts having failed, the good offices of the Otago members of Parliament were enlisted, with the result that advices received a few days age notified that tho request had been granted. It was gratifying to the committee to find that the Milford track pamphlet, published by the, league, had met with much much so that the Government Tourist Department had undertaken to pay the entire cost of an issue of 10,000 copies of a second edition. One of the principal matters which the committee had to attend to during tho year has been that of arranging for speakers at the members' monthly luncheons. Throughout the year a series of intersting after-dinner addresses on important subjects were given By well-known citizens. The committee would very much like to see an increase in the attendance at tho luncheons, as it is felt that the importance of the matters dealt with on these occasions should commend the gatherings to a much wider circle of business men.

The Trades and Industrie** Committee was organised just before the close of the year, and now • consists of Messrs J. H. F. Hamel (chairman), B. Anscombe, J. Blair Mason, Jonathan Rhodes, Robert Conn, M. C. Henderson, J. Wilson, W. Stuart Wilson, and Dr ,T. Inglis. The pressure of the war is seriously handicapping the necessary needs of the dominion. When to this is added the abnormal scarcity of shipping facilities and the cor.serruent drastic reduction in the imports of the country, thoughtful men are looking around for some means of supplying from our own native resources some of the mofct clamant of our needs. To this task the new Committee is setting itself, and already it has mapped out a course of research and investigation the results of which, it hope?, will be of service to the community. Especial attention ia being given to the possibility of manufacturing, with *he aid of our unrivalled supply of water power, nitrogenous manures, the cheap production of which would stimulate the productivity of the soil and increase to a marked df-gree the exportable surplus of foodstuffs from the dominion. It is ioo early as yet to give detailed accents of the possibilities thus opened up, but tho committee trusts that during the cominar year some pregnant facts connected with the output of such desirable commodities may bo placed before those in authority, making possible the inauguration of another good national industry and the increasing of the wealth and prosperity of the whole dominion.