The Canterbury Progress League.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16265, 16 July 1918, Page 6

The Canterbury Progress League.

The City Council is rarely unanimous on questions that come before it, but it was not surprising that there was unanimity in the cordial approval it gave last night to the aims of the Canterbury Progress Leaguo. The League's decision that its first step should be to sccuro the co-operation of the local bodies is a wise one, but we hope that the promotors of the League wilt keep in mind the necessity for something moro active and mobile than a mere association of bodies of local government. These bodies cannot be expected to give up much of their time and attention to matters which are outside the ordinary routine of business, and they can never satisfactorily replace special organisations, in town and country, of enthusiasts who are really anxious to mako a Progress Leaguo effective. Nevertheless it is desirable that all the local bodies in the province should be enlisted as sympathisers with the objects of the League, and there ought not to bo much difficulty about persuading the rural bodies that the League deserves ' the same support from them as has been offered by the City Council. The country districts must bo looked to for suggestions as to the work that the League can do. The power of local bodies to vote money to finance the League has been established by reference to the Audit Office. In Great Britain, we may note, local authorities possess, and freely cxercise, the power to spend money in propagandist work on behalf of their districts. If the other local bodies will follow the lead of tho City Council, the League will be able to commence active work very soon, and if it keeps close to its statement of aims, and avoids all subjects that divide public opinion— which it can do, and still have ample room to move and act—we are confident that the monay spent will be a good investment for the province as a whole.