SOUTHLAND LEAGUE

Southland Times, Issue 19173, 18 February 1924, Page 11

SOUTHLAND LEAGUE

DISTRICT REQUIREMENTS. QUARTERLY REPORT. At the meeting of the Southland League at Winton on Friday, the Executive submitted the quarterly report as follows: — Publicity.—This most important subject is having the consistent attention of your Executive. No opportunity is being lost, that might help the province to become more widely known both in Northern provinces and overseas. Articles and photographs descriptive and illustrative of Southland’s potentialities have been supplied to the publishers of tourist booklets and other publications in order that authentic information calculated to do justice to the province as regards its tourist resorts and its possibilities as a great agricultural district, may receive as much prominence as possible. In the near future it is hoped that the League will have enough finance available to allow for the publication for free distribution throughout the world, of a quantity of many thousand copies of illustrated pamphlets dealing with Southland. Another scheme members of the League have under way by which the province will be advertised, is the matter of arranging for a lecturer to visit Northern country centres, and so give to farmers an idea as to the possibilities here. Parliamentary Tour Of Southland.—ln dealing with publicity for the province, attention might be drawn to the intended tour by Parliamentary members, which is to take place during next week. In organising and carrying out this tour the Executive feel convinced that it is such an undertaking from which much goed will result. In showing Northern members over the vast area of rich agricultural land in Southland, it is felt that it will help considerably to dispel the erroneous impression which exists to some extent in the North regarding this province. It also must help towards creating a sympathetic feeling in the House, when an important matter to -Southland is under consideiation.

Immigration.—The secretary’ is always in constant communication with residents overseas who inquire regarding conditions here. It might be mentioned about one man who has notified his intention of coming from South Australia, that he was advised that he is doing so, with a capital of £2OOO, which will probably be invested in a small dairy farm. This goes to show that the League’s efforts in getting known the agricultural potentialities of the province are not being made in vain. Finance.—The Local Bodies of the province are giving their hearty support to the League; for this year all except two have contributed or notified that they are contributing. Private subscribers are also wholeheartedly supporting the League, there being 108 subscriptions received so far this year and 29 still owing. The Executive would here appeal to the Local Bodies not yet having contributed, and to all unfinancial private subscribers, to forward in their respective amounts as early as possible, as it now is approaching the end of the financial year. General. —To mention in detail all the work that has occupied the attention of the Executive during the past three months would make this report most voluminous, but some of the more important matters might be dealt with briefly as follows: Conference of Local Members of Parliament With Represent stives of Local Bodies. —lt has been decided to convene a conference such as this before the next session of Parliament, as it is considered that such will help to give local Parliamentary members a better understanding of the requirements of the district they represent. Consolidation of One-Teacher Primary Schools.—After hearing a very full discussion on this subject by country representatives at the last quarterly meeting of the League, it was decided to support such a proposal for districts throughout Southland. War Pensions Appeal Board.—ln company with other Southland organisations the League made representations to the Government asking for Southland to be made a separate district for the War Pensions Appeal Board, as under the present system it means that Southland returned soldiers have to probably always journey to Dunedin to place their case before the Board, and further they are examined by a medico resident in another district who is not always conversant as to the actual condition they are now working under.

Weather Reports.—The League has been in communication with the Marine Department, drawing its attention to the erroneous and misleading tenor of the weather reports issued by the Government Meteorologist, which are published daily regarding this portion of New Zealand. So far no reply has been received to our latest communication, but as a sound case is established, it is expected that the Department will take steps in the direction of rectifying this matter. Railway Department Tourist Pamphlets—Some little time ago the Railway Department issued an illustrated booklet descriptive of New Zealand’s tourist resorts. Unfortunately owing evidently to ignorance on the part of those responsible for the compilation of this work, Southland not only received scant attention but some rather inaccurate references were made regarding various aspects of the province. Representations drawing the Department’s attention to the matter were duly made, and the reply since received from the General Manager advises that in any future publications consideration will be given to the points brought before him. More Regular Direct Inter-Colonial Steamer Services.—This is a matter which in the interests of the tourist traffic, the League is always watching carefully. Monowai-Manapouri Road. —Owing to a detailed estimate of the cost of this proposed road not yet being available, the League have been holding over making representations to the Government for a grant of money to carry out this work. Other matters which have engaged the attention of the Executive, and regarding which personal representations are being made to Hon. J. G. Coates, Minister of Railways and Public Works, who is at present visiting Southland, are as follows: 1. Re the Government increasing the maximum annual subsidy to County Councils. 2. Re the Government subsidising the cost of the proposed tennis courts at Stewart Island. 3. Josephville-Caroline Road. 4. Re the re-institution of the week-end excursions to Queenstown. 5. Wairio-Nightcaps railway. 6. Co-operation with the Chamber of Commerce in urging the Government to keep the daily Christchurch-Invercargill express running daily, and re speeding-up same considerably during the journey. Conclusion.—The Executive has always in mind the many needs and requirements of all parts of the province, and is always alert to serve those interested where united effort is required. We ask all those who have the interests of the country and the province at heart to continue their co-operation and assistance in our great fight for provincial advancement, which we want to continue with greater enthusiasm than ever before.