OTAGO EXPANSION LEAGUE.

Otago Witness, Issue 3782, 7 September 1926, Page 73

OTAGO EXPANSION LEAGUE.

ANNUAL MEETING. NEEDS OF PROVINCE-REVIEWED. The fourteenth annual meeting of the Otago Expansion League was held in the Somerset Lounge, Savoy buildings, on Tuesday night. The president (Mr S. B. Macdonald) occupied the chair, and there wore about 25 shareholders present. ATTRACT lON S OF LAKE WANAICA. The following letter, which was signed by Messrs D. E. Theomin and F. O. Bridgeman, was read by the secretary : “We have only lately returned from Lake Wanaka after a most pleasant stay there of some 10 to 12 days. Knowing how keenly interested you are in everything pertaining to the Otago Central, we thought you might like to have some account of our trip and of our impressions. In the first place having travelled over both routes —via Palmerston, Pigroot, and Wedderburn to Clyde and also via Lawrence and Roxburgh to Clyde—we have no hesitation at this season of the year in recommending the former route, for the reason that, talten all over, the roads via Palmerston are probably 50 per cent, better than via Milton and Lawrence. But it was the climate and weather at Pembroke and district that appealed to us so strongly We have both had experience of winters in various parts of the world, and we affirm that Pembroke stands unrivalled. True, the early mornings and the nights are cold, but it is by no means a penetrating cold, nor did it prevent us leaving open the french windows of our bedrooms at night, or while dressing in the mornings. At about 9.30 a.m. the sun gains power, and from then on until about 4.30 p.m., when it is hidden by the mountains surrounding the lake, lazy folk could have no more enjoyable way of passin? the time than by sitting on either the balcony or in front of the hotel with a book. Sometimes accompanied by our respective daughters, we took good walks, or motored round the lake to Glendhu Bay, or across to Lake Hawea, lunching m the open just when and where we felt inclined. There is a well-patronised 9-hole golf cotorse close to the hotel, but money is being collected wherewith to lay out a 16hole course on more suitable ground. Perhaps one of the most delightful sights is the wonderful sunrise reflected on the mountains on the western side of the lake. Every possible shade of pink glow's on the snow-covered giants. Just about the time the maid brings in the welcome cup of morning tea this glorious sight is obtainable for the trouble of merely raising oneself on one’s elbow. The excellent accommodation and attention, accompanied by good and really well cooked food at the Lake Wanaka Hotel, of course, added materially to our enjoyment. There is something so peculiarly clear and pure about the atmosphere so very different from the air of either city or seaside that one cannot fail to notice it, and it is for this, if for no other reason, that we urge all those who can spare the time and the moderate cost of transit to avail themselves of .this great asset, possessed onlv by Central Otago.” The letter was received with applause. TOWN PLANNING. The Minister of Internal Affairs (the Hon. R. F. Bollard) wrote in reply to a telegram that the league had sent to the Prime Minister, and which had been forwarded to the writer, urging that the Town Planning Bill be deferred until ftext session. He called attention to the fact that there had been a universal wish for many years past for legislation on this subject, and the matter had been before the Municipal Conference on more than one occasion, the last remit having been passed at the conference held this year urging that legislation be brought down. In addition to the above, the committee had been set up to consider the proposed Bill, such committee consisting of representatives of the architects, engineers, and surveyors’ associations, a representative of the cities and boroughs, and a representative of the counties, together with certain Government officers. Copies of the Bill had been circulated to local bodies some time ago, and concrete representations which had been made had received very careful consideration. The Bill had been referred to the Lands Committee, which had taken evidence. “ You will, I think,” the writer concluded, “ realise that the matter has been carefully considered, and the Government has decided as a matter of policy to proceed with the measure, which has, as you are doubtless aware, now been passed by the House of Representatives.” PRESIDENT’S ADDRESS. In moving the adoption of the fourteenth annual report and balance sheet, the President stated that for the greater part of the year the Exhibition had monopolised most of their energies, since the league was invited to organise the formation of the Otago Provincial Court. Originally the space Allotted was 5000 ft, and the financial scheme was based upon that area, but the response of exhibits was so great that eventually 7750 ft had to be utilised,, and of course the financial burden was proportionately increased. From the outset the committee determined that the agricultural, scenic, and mineral wealth of the province should be suitably shown, and the flattering opinions expressed by many visitors was proof that this end had been accomplished. The quiet but persistent work of the Railways Committee had been very effective, and was most noticeable in the progress of the straightening and duplication of the Port Chalmers line. While the league recognises the help rendered by the other members of Parliament, it felt sure that Mr IT. L. Tapley. C.M.G., in whose constituency this section ofc line was situated, would see that this essential work was pushed on to a speedy completion. Following the policy so successfully inaugurated in recent years of calling conferences of the bodies most vitally interested in the questions brought under review, the executive, with the cordial cooperation of the Otago Motor Club, called a meeting of delegates fipm borough and county councils interested in main highways. The object of the meeting was a frank and open discussion of the loading

problem to find out where the shoe pinched, and how best to relieve the pressure. The unanimous opinion of the delegates was that the subsidy offered by the Highways Board was too low, and a resolution was carried asking for a minimum of £2 for £1 for maintenance, with increased grants where local conditions merited special treatment. These findings were forwarded to the Government, and some amelioration had taken place, but a great deal yet remained to be done, and it was my personal opinion that the best solution of the roading problem would.be that the State should take over the Main Ilighways as set out in the Act, spending the motor taxation thereon, and leaving the local authorities to expend their rates upon the subsidiary or feeding roads. As a motorist, he said that should the present taxation be inadequate, no motorist would grudge a higher imposition if he were assured of better roads for his comfort and convenience. The league’s interest in the tourist traffic still continued, although the Prime Minister did not see such a merit in it as the league did. Perhaps if he could charge a tax per head on them like France, he might view it differently. In the meantime he was pleased to note in the Public Works Estimates just issued that Glade House, the new hostel at Milford, and the new steamer on Lake Te Anau, all had substantial grants allocated to them, as well as a grant for the repair of the wharf at Pembroke, and the construction of landing stages at the Neck on both lakes. Continued representations had been made on these topics for some time, and it was gratifying to see some interest being taken in the opening out more fully of the scenic wonders of the south. The supply of hydro-electric energy for Central Otago was reaching an acute stage. Thus early in its history the Roxburgh installation was working up to its utmost capacity, and as there seemed to he every prospect of an increased demand for many purposes, fresh sources of supply must he made available. Arrangements were being made whereby the league would call a conference at an early date of all interested parties to consider the best means of augmenting speedily and economically the electric energy of the district. The need for trees and more trees was growing every year, and every possible means should be takn of arousing and maintaining public interest. The conference of South Island leagues recommended the policy of the planting of waste lands, and the Director of Forests (Captain Ellis) had assured them that his department was willing to assist any local authority or other body prepared to take up the planting of waste lands by arranging for the transfer of the lands and giving the necessary expert advice to enable such area to be utilised for timber growing. There were areas of land in Otago which had been destroyed as productive pastures by mining or lack of cultivation, and these could be most readily turned to account by the growth of timber. If all local bodies followed the splendid example set by the Dunedin City Council the next generation would rise up and call them blessed.

The prospect of a further reduction m the number of members of Parliament for the South Island had caused some heart burning. Sinco 1911 the population of the South Island had increased by 58,372. vet its members of Parliament were fewer than ever. The more rapid growth of the North 'lsland had so increased tbe quota that such was the inevitable result In view of the sizo of many South Island constituencies it was pertinent to ask if the time had not arrived when not the number of electors but the number of. members should be increased If they do not do something in this line the day might come when the South Island would bo only one con-' stituenev or perhaps added to ono in the north to make, up the quota He desired ..to compliment the Chamber of Commerce, the Manufacturers and the Shippers and Importers’ Associations on the firm stand- they were taking on the matter of maritime transport for th i South Island, especially the Australian connection. While thoy were gratified to Sir Joseph Ward for his advocacy of a subsidy to this service it was as well to

point out that this was not a new departure, because Mr Jas. Horn. M.P. for Wakatipu. and Mr de la Perelle, exmember for Awarua, advocated this action in 1922. The executive contended that a regular steamer service between Melbourne and the Bluff, say at weekly intervals, would lead to a restoration of this lost trade and a fuller utilisation of the South Island railways. . . Immigration by nomination which had been the accepted policy of the Dominion for the past few years, was, in the opinion of the league, the correct method, but the time had arrived when an amendment of the regulations was necessary. The conditions at present laid down as to the duty; of the nominator were reasonable, but, unfortunately, they were not sufficiently drastic to prevent irresponsible persons nominating others and then deliberately avoiding the undertakings given to the Government. This had been noticeable for some time past, especially in regard to domestic servants and farm labourers, who did not carry out the conditions of their nomination by taking up work Jn the lines laid down. He would suggestfhat a bond should be exacted from the nominator of each immigrant which would be estreated if the conditions were not carried out. Under the terms of the nomination an immigrant must reside in the Dominion for at least five years, and if a bond of, say, £IOO was held ,by the State for the fulfilment of the conditions, either the cash or a satisfactory guarantee, it would effectually prevent the indiscriminate nomination of immigrants by people who were not in a position to fulfil the obligations undertaken. The imposition of some such, restriction as that suggested would be no bar to the bona fide nominator, but secure the best possible and most easily assimilated type of settler for the Dominion.

The balance sheet showed that the funds of the league were not as buoyant as in the preceding year. An effort would be made during the coming summer to widen the field of operation by securing the assistance of local bodies in the province somewhat after the methods adopted by; Canterbury, Nelson, and Southland. The cost of several publications for the Exhibition had been carried over by the printer till this year, ancl this, with the other commitments, would require all the financial support it was possible for them to secure.

The motion was seconded by Mr J.Inglis Wright, who said a casual inspection of the report would show the value of the league. He did not hold with the view expressed at the annual meeting of the Chamber of Commerce that that body and the Expansion League should be united. The former was a Dunedin body, and the latter was an Otago body, lie thought the work that had been done showed the need for the existence of the league, and the longer they lived the more there seemed to be to do. To combine with any other organisation would, he thought, be unwise. The Expansion League did everything it could to assist in the development of the province, and whenever the people wanted assistance they turned to the league for it. The lack of communication with the other side was a serious factor in the lack of increase of population in the South Island. The more money they got tho more work they could do, but there was a lot of work waiting on an increased income. lie believed that if an appeal were made for more money during the coming year it would be forthcoming. Tho motion was carried. The election of office-bearers resulted as follows:—President, Mr 9. B. Macdonald; vice-presidents—Messrs P. R. Sargood, G. J. Errington, L. D. Ritchie, and the Mayor of Dunodin (Mr 11. L. Tapley, M.P.); executive—Hon. Sir C. E. Stathani, Captain Sundstrum, Messrs Chas. Todd, Wm. Black, E. Tomblyn, T. K. Sidey, M.P., Jas. Horn, M.P., J\ Larnach, 0. 11. Hayward* Harman Reeved, It. S. Black, R. B. Tennent, W. It. Brugh, V. Jacobs, 11. M. Mackay, J. E. MacManus, 11. M‘Dowell Smith, A. E. Wilson, E. Swailes, J. Inglia Wright, D. Tannock, and It. T. Stewart j, treasurer, Mr H. E. Wilson; auditors* Messrs Barr, Hercus, and Co.