SOUTHLAND LEAGUE

Southland Times, Issue 19822, 19 March 1926, Page 8

SOUTHLAND LEAGUE

MEETING OF EXECUTIVE, MANY MATTERS DISCUSSED. The Executive of the Southland League held its monthly meeting last evening when there were present Messrs H. F. Drewe (President), A. H. Stock, J. D. Trotter, A. Russell, F. Holloway, W. A. Gow, A. le H. Hoyles, W. Alexander, H. B. Farnall, S. Ritchie, J. Miller F. W. Preddy, W. McChesney, C. S. Longuet, R. D. Newth and F. G. O’Beirne. The Hon. O. J. Hawlfen, Commissioner of State Forests, stated that negotiations were being carried on with the Lands Department for the purpose of obtaining lands suitable for afforestation in Southland and that as soon as an area was available operations would be started. The League could rest assured that he fully realised the great importance of providing adequate future timber supplies for Southland and that there would shortly be material evidence of this.

A matter of wide concern to Southland, that of securing a steady flow of immigrants, was briefly discussed when Mr A. H. Mackrell, who is Commissioner for Southland of the Dominion Settlement Association, waited upon the members of the executive for the purpose of enlisting their sympathy and active interest in the proposal. Mr Mackrell reported on the business transacted at.a recent conference held by the association’s officers in Wellington and stated that it was a Dominion-wide organisation which yvould embrace every part of the country. New Zealand required a number of immigrants each year and if possible a scheme should be evolved so that the Dominion could take advantage of the assistance offered by the British Government. The Farmers’ Union and the Invercargill Chamber of Commerce had already expressed their sympathies with the work of the association and had subscribed £2O out of the £4O required from this part of the Dominion. Mr Miller expressed the opinion that the idea was a good one and the League should give what assistance it could, though personally, he could not see how they could give any financial support. Mr Drewe suggested that the League should take the whole question up again. He therefore moved that the former committee consisting of Messrs J. D. Trotter and W. Alexander should be authorised to confer with the local organisation of the association and give what help it could on behalf of the League in the direction desired. The Acting-Publicity Officer, Wellington, advised that Mr Zane Grey would not be able to visit Southland this year, but as it was his intention to again visit New Zealand next year doubtless he would be then able to pay a visit to the South Island.— Received. Mr R. McGillivray, Instructor in Agriculture, reported that it was probable that a prize farm or champion farm competition would be held this year in Southland and stated he would be pleased to have the views of the League generally on the proposal.— It was decided to place on record the fact that the League was in full accord with the proposal and that it would be pleased to give what assistance it could, and if necessary to appoint two representatives to act on the committee that is to be appointed to control the competition. The Town Clerk, Queenstown, forwarded a cheque for £5 being the council’s contribution towards the League’s funds for the current year. Mr T. J. Melville, Queenstown, and Mr N. P. Neal, Christchurch, wrote offering their services in connection with publicity work on behalf of the province of Southland while absent abroad. Both letters were referred to the League’s Publicity Committee for favourable consideration. The Hon. F. J. Rolleston, Minister of Justice, replying to the League’s request for assistance in the matter of constructing a bridge across the Oreti River, stated that all available labour was at present being utilised on other work, but that at a later date he would be pleased to favourably consider the question of placing sufficient labour at the disposal of the League provided payment was made for the sendees granted. Mr Drewe said it was gratifying to see that the League had obtained some further help in the matter of having a bridge provided for the benefit of the people of Invercargill. He was somewhat diffident though about the League taking further action, believing that it was the responsibility of either the council or the county to take the next step. The meeting decided that the committee which had previously been carrying out the preliminary work on behalf of the League should collect all available data and call a public meeting of the people interested with a view to some definite proposals being formulated to place before the local bodies interested. It was decided that the annual conference of the Southland Members of Parliament and representatives of local bodies should be held on the same day as the annual meeting of the League and that the secretary should be instructed to communicate with the various local bodies and ask them to frame suitable remits for consideration at the conference and to forward them to the League at an early date. Mr Holloway brought forward the question of the serious delays which occurred to traffic at the Spey Street railway crossing and suggested that some action should be taken to get the railway authorities to minimise the present trouble. The League decided to refer the matter to the local Chamber of Commerce with a view to concerted action being taken.