PROGRESS LEAGUE.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 16428, 23 January 1919, Page 8

PROGRESS LEAGUE.

CITY AND PORT. IMPROVEMENT OF COMMUNICATION. The executive of the Canterbury Progress League met yesterday afternoon, Mr H. Holland presiding over an attendance of twelve. The chairman said it would be necessarv to prepare for the inauguration of the first Council of tho League. He congratulated the Christchurch branch on its establishment, and said that it had started under very bright auspico.The Advisory Committee had decided to retain the services of Mr Climie as organiser. He (Mr Holland) had beon approached on the subject of prizes for competition in respect of the beautifying of country school grounds, and he suggested that the League might take the matter up. 'We are being hopelessly left behind m. the matter ot tho expenditure of public tnonev," Mr Holland continued. "Something iiko three or four times the amount of public money is being spent in the North Island, as compared with the South Island. It seems to bo a golden opportunity for the League to'make its power felt in.order to see that, as near as possible, there should bo an equal distribution of public expenditure. 1 hate anything of a. parochial character, but during the war period Canterbury has been bled or largo - sums, and wo have received no benefit. It now appears that the Public Works Department intends boosting up the North Island." Mr Holland reforred to the recent deputation to the Minister of Public Works, respecting tho proposed trafficbridge over the Selwyn, and said that it was a matter to which the League should lend its assistance. He urged that steps should be taken to resume work on the Lyt-telton-Sumnor road. A letter was read from the Solwyn County Council, stating that the Council was prepared to support the construction of a light traffic bridge over the Solwyn, the contributing bodies to be those bodies between Christchurch and Ashburton which would benefit by the bridge. Tho Council made its support conditional on the repeal of the section in the Act under which the original Selwyn County Council was split up, dealing with the subsidies payable to the new counties. It was decided to refer this point to a sub-committee, consisting of Messrs H. Holland, A. F. Wright, and S. A. Staples, to report. The Town-Planning Association wrote asking the League to appoint delegates to the Association. It was decided to invito tho Association to affiliate with the League. The organiser (Mr P. R. Climie) submitted a lengthy 'report covering his activities since the previous meeting of the executive on October 9th, 1918. The work of organisation, he stated, had been somewhat interfered with by the epidemic. With the exception of two county councils and four road boards, all tho local bodies approached had affiliated to tho League: those that had .not affiliated had not held meetings, or their meetings had been dolayed owing to the epidemic or to harvest operations. The Lyttelton Harbour Board and the Christchurch Tramway Board had each contributed £100 and the Christchurch Drainage Board and the South Waimakariri River Board each £50. In addition to the formation of tho Christchurch branch of the League, arrangements wore in train for the formation of branches at New Brighton, "Woolston, Sumner, Ashburton. Rangiora, and Akaroa. In all, 72 local-bodies had been appealed.to for grants; and 38 trade unions,- 60 employers' organisations aJid business associations, 18 racing clubs, 12 sports "bodies, c sports clubs, 10 social clubs, and 69 public libraries had been asked to hecomo_ affiliated to the League. Respecting the co-operation of women to ensure the full success of the League, the organiser stated that ho had discussed the subject with one (or two ladies, who had gladly offered, their help in the. necessary work of organisation. He had beeu in communication with the South Canterburj', Otago, and Southland Leagues, and a most friendly relationship had sprung up between tho leagues. By holding periodical conferences between representatives of the South Island Leagues a great deal could be done for each district, as well as for the whole of the South Island, and tho whole Dominion. Since the previous meeting of the executive six county councils (Selwyn, Ellesmere, Cheviot, Ashburton, Waimairi, and Mt. Herbert), five road boards (Mt. Hutt, Upper Ashburton. Longbeach, Wakanui, and Rangitata), and four town boards (Amberley, Soiithbridge, Hampstead, and Tinwald) had extended the full financial cupport asked for. The report was adopted. The Christchurch Branch forwarded remits (1) with regard to arriving at a decision as to the best method of improving communication between Christchurch and the seaboard; (2) with regard to convening a conference of the Industrial Association, the Chamber of Commerce, Canterbury members of Parliament, and the League to. discuss matters of interest to the province; and (3) ivith regard to the establishment of a Ministry of Industries and Commerce and the appointment of a Minister of Industries and Commerce. Mr E. C. Huie moved the adoption of the remits, and, referring to No. 1, said that he was not prepared to say which scheme should be adopted, but in view of tho approaching completion of the Arthur's Pass tunnel, it was desirable, if the duplication of the Lyttelton tunnel were decided upon, that the plant should not be removed to tho North Island. Referring to No. 2, he spoke of several matters that could be discussed by such a conference, especially mentioning the work the League might be able to'do, when .Canterbury soldiers were repatriated, in assisting the Minister of Public Works in getting workers. As to No. 3, he pointed out that what business men desired was that a really capable man should be appointed who would give the greater part of his time to the consideration of the expansion of the Dominion's industries. Mr A. F. Wright seconded, and urged that steps should be taken to obtain some of the motor vehicles no longer needed for war purposes, as feeders to the railways. Tlie chairman said that it was desirable, as regarded No. 1, that some scheme should be concentrated upon. He did not think that there was anyone in Canterbury but agreed that better communication between Christchurch and its port was desirable. Mr A. G. Henderson thought it would be better to refer the matter to the meeting of the council to decide. Mr C. T. Aschman urged that something definite should be done; it was time the question was removed from the realm of debating society politics." Mr P. R. Climie (organiser) said that the affiliated- bodies expccted to be consulted on this important subject. All the remits were adopted. Mr Aschman moved: "'That a sub-com-mittee, consisting of Messrs H. Holland, S. A. Staples, J. A. Flesher. P. R. Climie, F. G. Horrell, G. W. Leadley, W. K. McAlpine. and C. T. Aschman, be sot up to prepare hn outline of the different schemes pnpesed for improving facilities for communication between Christchurch and its port, that copies bo furwaHed to the affiliated bodies with the veques that they should instruct their del they should vote cn the question at the March meeting of the council of the League." Mr J. A. Flesher seconded, and said that it was the only way to make pro-

gress. If any line of cleavage in the League arose it would arise out of this question. They ought not to do anything that would jeopardise the League. If tney gave the country people the fullest*information in concise form they could instruct their delegates how to deal with the question when it came up. The motion was agreed to. As to Remit No. 2, regarding conference, it was decided to invite the bodies mentioned and the Canterbury members of Parliament to attend the meeting of the council of the League ; and Remit No. 3 was referred to the meeting of the Council.