EXPANSION LEAGUE

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 37, 7 November 1919, Page 7

EXPANSION LEAGUE

ADVANCEMENT OF WELLINGTON PROVINCE

CONFERENCE AT PALMERSTON NORTH By, Telegraph—Snccial Reporter: Palnierston North, November 6. _ Another era' in the progress of Wellington Province was readied fit Palnierston North this afternoon at ft conference by tho Wellington Central Chamber of Commerce to consider the formation of a Wellington Provincial Expansion or Development League. Mr. C. M. .Luke presided over a comparatively small attendance of delegates from the different local bodies and. associations. In his opening remarks, the chairman recalled that the first coiifcrcuco had been called just before the war. ' It had occurred to some of them that it was neessary to have an executive body in order to keep going. In his opinion the Dominion was to undergo a period of prosperity, iu spite of. which, however, the problem of taxation was being felt and would he felt later on when prices now ruling came down. He referred to the necessity for increased production. Tho only way to bring about tliis was to hftvo improved machinery. The position of the league would be the melius of giving effect to the aspirations in the public interest of tho provinces. :In Southland, whero a league had been established, 'hydro-electric power had been introduced. Similar leagues had been established in North and South Canterbury, Auckland and Napier. It had been suggested that Hawked Bav should' link up. Combination would result in the betterment of the province. Public. works were Using held up through want of combination. T.he East Coast railway was an example, tho need for which had been admitted by tie Minister.

• Mr. W. S. Wilson said the members of the Otago League met even' year to allow'of a conference between the members of the local bodies and members of Parliament' before the session. The league had _ educated the people j)f Otfljij. to r&alise.the necessity for water-nower. and they were now about to get ,£1,000,C00 for the development of the water-power of Otago. ; It seemed that they were going to beat the Government in getting some North' Island scheme going. They had already sold ,£50,000 worth of prospective power. He then moved that tho meeting give activc support to the formation of the league,- having as; its aim the advancement, prosperity, and intensive settlement of the Province of Wellington and the Dominion geerally. In strongly supporting/the motion, Mr. Harford, of Feildirg. said that one of the obiccts of'.the lengu« should be the proposed PaekaLviki Hill Road. ' Mr., Wilson prono«*d that the -words •province of Wellington" should be struck out and that the words "the southern portion of the North Maud" should be substituted, so as to embrace a wider stretch of country.

This whs -agreed to. ' Crabb dwelt on the necessity for co-operation with , the local bodies; in order to Rain financial assistance, instead, of reiving on an annual subscription of members. ■ ...

According to Mr. Mathieson, of EketaJiiiiin. .the work of the league should rightly, be carried on by the Government. '

Other .members disagreed with this contention, holding that it was the duty of the league to assist the Government in u democratic way.

Complaint was made bv Mr. G Frost representing, the Wellington City Oounl cil, that Wellington province had been neglected when the last amount of -£3,009,000 for public works was distributed. :

-Mr. ifathieson, of Levin, 'ugsested that some'form of assessmehfrsihoiild be ar-' delegates to place some definite proposition before the bodies they represented, .

Mr. Hornbiow. of. Foxton, stressed the necassity for afforestation of the sand dunes on.the.West Coast of the NorthIsland pointing out that the league would have a chance of forcing on this important work.

Mr Cotton. Lower Hutt. suggested that delegates should place before their own bodies a proposal to establish in their own towns. Mr. Wilson pointed out that one of the objects of tho league should be to undertake Parliamentary reform.in the direclion of cutting down the number of members and increasing their salaries The motion relative to the formation of the .league was then put and carried mammons!)', as amended. It was also decided that the constitution and rules ol the Otiwo Expansion League be adoptp(l for guidance until,the first conference coiivaned by the association was held. Palmerston North was fixed as the cen- ? nl - 01 ' le executive headonarters. Tlie following Provisional . Committee was C. M. Luke (Weilington), E. IL Crahb (Palmerston North), E. Darnell fiMnsterton) H P Horne (Wcodvillo). D. W.' (Lei ™>-J- Crvstnll (Poxton), W..S. Wilson jWellmglon), T\. I'. Bramwell (Feild- »'?). .T P. Lulre M.P. (Welling), W. B. Matlneson (Eketahuna\ and E L Broad (Palmerston North). lv ith members of Parliament, ex- officio, and power to add to their number. The functions of the committee, will lie to secure t!ie formation of the lea?u» and t« act as an executive council until the first conference is convened. Mr. W. M'Kenzie. of PMmerston North was elected secretary. . The appointment of organiser was left in the hands, of the committee. The committee will also report on (he question of,'finance, and fix the pnwe for the next conference.