SOUTHLAND LEAGUE

Southland Times, Issue 19172, 16 February 1924, Page 7

SOUTHLAND LEAGUE

QUARTERLY MEETING. The quarterly meeting of the Southland League was held in Winton yesterday, Mr C. J. Brodrick (president) occupying the chair. The chairman, in his opening remarks, said the League covered a large amount of ground and was out to boost Southland. The Winton district had about six dairy factories which proved the fertility of the district. Winton once had a Progressive League, but it had evidently lapsed. He advised them to revive the Progressive League again as it could do a lot of good. The Southland League would be pleased to see the Progressive League again an active body. "Just before you start,” said Mr J. A. Broome, Mayor of Winton, “I would like to welcome the League members to Winton. The League is work and I recognised it.” He went on to say that the Winton Progressive League was not actually dead, and an effort would be made to revive its activities. QUARTERLY REPORT. I The report stated that the publicity ’.am* i paign was being carried on vigorously, and articles and photographs had been supplied to publishers of tourist booklets. The direct result of publicity was revealed in the fact , that a South Australian farmer was coming i to Southland after having been in com- ! munication with the secretary. The League had received 108 private subscriptions so far and the local bodies had also contributed well. There were still a few local bodies which had not contributed, and the executive appealed to them to lend their aid. It had been decided to call a conference of all Southland members of Parliament and local bodies prior to next session to discuss the needs of the province. Protests had been made with regard to the Pensions Appeal Board, and the omission of a Southland doctor from the examining lists. Southland received scant attention in a recent booklet issued by the Railway Department and this had been brought under the notice of the General Manager, who advised that he would give consideration to the points brought before him when future booklets were being issued. Owing to a detailed cost of the Monowai-Manapouri road not being available the League had held over representation to the Government for a grant to carry out this work. EXECUTIVE MEETING. Prior to the quarterly meeting the executive met, there being present: Messrs C. J. Brodrick (chair), W. McChesney, F. Holloway, G. Chewings, F. H. Stock, A. Russell and G. R. George. MILFORD TRACK. ‘ The League is very much alive to the Milford Track,” said the chairman, ‘‘and we communicated with Wellington at the time of the complaints. We received assurances that changes would take place which would improve the conditions.” He went on to say that on receipt of that information he decided that it was useless for the League to keep butting in. He was of the opinion that the League should collect information so that improvements could be effected for the coming season. •‘People who make the trip should not expect feather beds,” said Mr McChesney. The so-called discomforts added to the charm of the trip and people should not expect to get over the Track in motor cars or aeroplanes. . Some of the charm of the trip would be lost under modem conditions. ‘‘What do you consider the best method of collecting information for the improvement of the Track?” asked the chairman. “The huts have only limited accommodation, and if the telephone were connected with Glade House and kept in order, each hut caretaker could then be advised of the number of people who would be arriving at his hut that night.” The secretary stated that he had private information to the effect that tfie Minister, Hon. W. Nosworthy, and his wife were going over the Track. “That will be better than any evidence,” said Mr McChesney. It was decided that further information be gathered to assist the Government in its inquiry into the Track conditions. “Are not pigeons used to advise arrivals?” asked Mr Russell. “On the Track they are,” said Mr Stock, “but not at Glade House.” GENERAL BUSINESS. The secretary was instructed to forward suitable photographs of Southland for publication in illustrated papers. Mr Russell suggested that many suitable photographs were never forwarded to papers for illustration, but if people knew the League would accept such photographs many would be forwarded. Mr McChesney said it might be advisable to set up a committee to collect photographs and arrange for grouped displays. They could have a sporting page one issue and harvesting operations another and so on. This would make a good display. With regard to grouped displays, the secretary' was instructed to report to the next meeting. Copies of the Mid-Pacific Union magazine were received and the secretary was instructed to prepare an illustrated article on Southland for the magazine. It was decided to refer Mr W. H. Field’s request, that an endeavour be made to retain Mr Cunningham. Government Mycotogist, who intended going to Ceylon, to the A. and P. Association, and to support Mr Field if the A. and P. Association approved of the protest. PARLIAMENTARY TOUR. The following report of the sub-committee appointed in connection with the proposed Parliamentarian tour of Southland was received : The committee have pleasure in reporting that arrangements for the tour are well in hand. Owing to the altered express services it was thought advisable to have the tour begin one day later than was originally intended, and the dates now decided upon are from Wednesday, February 19, until Saturday, February 23. A comprehensive itinerary has been mapped out embracing ‘as large a portion of the province as can possibly be covered in the restricted time. Mayors of the various towns of the province have been communicated with asking for their co-operation, as it is intended to give as many people as possible the opportunity of meeting the visitors. So far there have been 20 replies accepting the invitation to tour the province, among these being a large proportion of Parliamentarians resident in the North Island. In addition to this there have been four further conditional replies from members who will probably also be able to take part in the tour. This must be considered satisfactory. Numerous replies have been received from members regretting that owing ‘''either to business engagements, important functions in their own electorates, and other reasons, that they are unable to be in Southland on the particular date. Many letters also have .been written in congratulatory terms, commending the League upon its enterprise. The report was adopted.