PROGRESS LEAGUE DELEGATES.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18217, 30 October 1924, Page 11

PROGRESS LEAGUE DELEGATES.

VISIT TO NELSON.

RAILWAY MATTERS DISCUSSED

(srlfLiX TO "TEX 18.E5S- )

NELSON", October ?°.

A public tncct,Lug was held 3D *" e Municipal Chambers last evening to extend a welcome to the delegation from tlio Canterbury Progress- League, who aro at present, gathering information relating to the completion of tho Southern Main Trunk railway. The delegation cunipriscs Messrs 11. Smith, .M.Alpine, C.hrystaJl, and fliniio. The delegates had a eouforeiu-r v.-i<k tho Nelson Progress League, at- wbirii railway extension matters were fully oxplained to the delegates from thu -Nelson point of view.

At the public meeting, Cr. P. Watson, in the absence of the May or (Mr V. Lock), extended ;i welcome to the visitors. lie understood that the delegation wa-s investigating possiHo routes for the railway, and he assured them that, tbo Nclsnu Progress League had considerable dala to plaoo before tlcm. Nelson was the first, province to take steps to urgo on railway construction, the matter having been taken up a 3 far back as 1563. After referring to the isolation of Nelson today, owing to tho gap in tho railway system between (Tlcnhopc and luangahua, and the productivity of the Murchison district, Cr. Watson . said he hoped that the deputation would come to the same conclusion as the Prime Minister—that the railway was one of national importance, and must be pletedMr ,W, Deo said it was realised.that tho delegates were out to do the best for tho Dominion as a whole. In the Murchison district, they would sec more good land than they expected. After pointing out the natural advantages of the district, and remarking that with through railway communication Nelson would become the garden for tho southern people, Mr Deo referred to the fruit industry. It had men behind it, ho said, who'wero determined to make it one of the biggest and best industries in New Zealand. Every industry had its ups and downs, and tho war had upset their calculations. But it. had been proved that the land would grow tho fruit, and London had given out that Nelson fruit was the best on the- market. The completion of tho railway system would be of incalculable value to Nelson, and also to the southern portion of the Island. Nelson, had the goods* and it only needed railway communication to deliver them to the southern cities. Freights Hinder Production. Mr F. 0. Hamilton remarked that- no doubt the visitors must have' been favourably impressed by what they had soen during their trip that day. They had had an illustration of one of.tho finest examples of close settlement and intense cultivation. Speaking of the Murchison district, Mr Hamilton re-: ferred to tho hardships that tho settlers the'ro were up against aa compared .with served by better transport .facilities. As an instance, ho stated that Talcaka settlers could procure manure at a freight of 133 id a ton, but Murchison settlers had to pay £3 Is a ton. This seriously affected the producing capabilities of tho district. If railway was completed ho thought that it would, greatly benefit both Nelson and Canterbury. Nelson could produce earlier'vegetables, etc., than Canterbury, and on the other hand needed seeds, etc., from tho south. Canterbury also offered a good market for store sheep, and in this conuexiou the Taihvay would again be invaluable.

Mr (."'. K, Pell said that iu the early days Kelson: and Canterbury worked together for railway communication, and he hoped they would do so Again. Ho urged that a'united front should be presented to the Government for the speedy completion of the railway. Mr A. Gould, on behalf of the Kelson Harbour Board, commented on the alv senco of propaganda and political influence for the completion of the railwav.

Mr W. J. Moffatt referred to the item dealing with the Glcuhope railway in the.Public Works Statement, which went to show that the Government was treating the matter seriously. With the co-operation of Canterbury it was hoped to impress upon the Government the urgency of making more rapid progress with' the 'work,' in order to make tho line pay sooner. Mr Moffatt referred to the rapid progress which Nelson city had made during the last few years, especially referring to the phenomenal development of tho clcctrio lighting scheme. Mr Davidson, as an ex-Cuntcrbury resident, urged the delegation to do their best to link up both provinces with the railway. Mr McAlpino Replies. Mr McAlpino thanked the Nelson people for their welcome. The delegates had greatly enjoyed their visit, and regretted that their stay was not of. longer duration to allow them to see moro of the, district. He could not say anything regarding the merits or disadvantages of any particular line. They had not come to Nelson to discuss their own views, but to hear what Nelson had to say. He had been very gratified at the facts and figures placed'before tho delegation. _ They had been particularly struck with the beauty of • the Nelson province. The data which they had been given would bo considered at the very earliest opportunity, and when an opinion had been come to it would, be brought before the Government. The League had a reputation with the Government of being a very fair and straightforward body," and of not going to Ministers with' things that they could not honestly-back up. This had been admitted "on'the floor of the House, and consequently the League was very jealous of that reputation. The delegates had gone to Nelson with open minds. They would take the facts and figures given to them, and what they had seen, for .themselves, and woula make a recommendation to their executive as honestly, and fairly, and impartially as thev eould. He congratulated Nelson on having £30.000 placed on the Estimates f»r the Glenkopc railway. It might seem a small amount, but it was tlie nrst "leg in." He would also like to congratulate. Nelson on its very tine district and on its wonderful climate. He had not seen a large portion of the district, but he knew that its mineral resources were great. Speaking as a farmer, a first look at the Moutere Hills might have sent him away, but it had been an eve-opener that day to see what the countrv was capable 0.. He also wished to congratulate Nelson on having the Cawthnm Institute. "I think;" be went on. "that it is verv larcclv due to. that that you are so prosperous to-day. That is one thing we in. Canterbury envy you. I know the Institute will do all laey can for us, and it.is. our intention to get some of these gentkmen down to i us as soon as possible.' ' Mr McAlpino also congratulated N elton in possessing such a live body as the Progress League. If the people gave it the same support as was accord-

cd to the Canterbury League, there was no reason why Kelson should not become one of the most prosperous provinces Dominion.

Mr Smith'urged the Ncbon people to keep together and'keep the Kelson League going. If tho South Island worked together the railway gaps would bo filled in a, much shorter time than if the provinces were uot united. On the motion of Mr Moffatt, tho delegates were heartily thanked for their presence in Kelson. The visitors and a number of local citizens were afterwards entertained by the League at supper at the Hacrcraai tea room?. .

This morning the. delegation, accompanied by several members of the Kelson Progress League, loft fpr Murehison. "Various parts of tho district will bo visited, and to-morrow night a public meeting will be held.' The delegates, accompanied by several members of the Nelson League, visited the Motueka district yesterday. At Motueka. Mr H. Everett (chairman of the Motueka Harbour Board) joined the party at luncheon, and in welcoming the Canterbury delegates, on behalf of the Mayor (Mr McGlashau), dn-elf. on tho progress the district had made. Mr McAlpiuo briefly Tcpliod.