ADVANCE OTAGO.

Evening Star, Issue 19661, 14 September 1927, Page 6

ADVANCE OTAGO.

The usefulness which has been exerted by tlm Otago Expansion League during the past year is not most effectively summed up. by its president’s statement, made at the annual meeting last night, that “ its activities were in nowise diminished, but rather increased.” If the league did nothing but talk that •would bo the smallest boast, but the league thinks quite as much as it talks, and though it lias suffered probably as much as most bodies from the pains of hope deferred in pressing its wholesome schemes for the advancement of Otago, there are times when it can write in its record not only “something attempted.” hut “ so me tiling done.” lor tho president’s statement to have its full value it must bo read in conjunction with the statement of the annual report: “Tho work of tho year lias been one of steady progress. Tho various questions and proposals in which the league is, interested have been kept before the authorities, and in many cases decided advances have taken place.” That will be an encouragement to the league to keep pegging away at objects that have nob yet been realised. There is tho question of shipping services, which has been referred meanwhile to a committee of the House. There are questions of railway extension and irrigation, and a dozen others. The policy of tree planting, which has been urged by the league as a means of reducing seasonal unemployment, is one that has everything to commend it. The City Council has done much for afforestation, not only in the interests of our water supply, but with a view to economic benefits to be derived. It is startling to read that eventually we shall have at Waipori possibly the largest artificial forest in New Zealand or Australia. The league’s plan tor increasing tree planting to make work for unemployed is not free from financial difficulties in the form in which it has been propounded, but it is hoped that these may be removed. The saving of the annual waste of their pro-

duct by fruit-canning and fruit-drying works to bo established iu districts where the fruit is grown would mean much to our fruitgrowers it it should materialise. bruit-drying makes a great industry in America, and there should bo some lyom for it here. The idea deserves the best consideration. Our suburban railway systems leave a great deal to bo desired, and it their services can bo made more frequent, by the use of petrol instead of steam mere conservatism should not weigh with the department in delaying that improvement.

It is easy for most local bodies and societies to take the most circumscribed view of their held of activities. The league deserves the best support that can be given it, because it works with no narrow object, and in acting as the guide, philosopher, and friend of all tho local bodies of Otago helps them also to work together for largo ends. Its plea that its hands would be strengthened if the financial support accorded to it were on more of a provincial basis should not be treated like the prayers which tho old gods whistled down the wind. It lias always been a ■ mystery to ns how the Otago Expansion League does so much work with the small funds which it commands.