RECORD OF ACHIEVEMENT

Evening Star, Issue 21745, 13 June 1934, Page 7

RECORD OF ACHIEVEMENT

OTAGO EXPANSION LEAGUE PNVINCE'S INTERESTS WELL SERVED MR J. I MARLOW RE-ELECTED PRESIDENT A worthy record;, of achievement in the interests •of -the city and the province was disclosed at the .twentysecond’ annual meeting in the Tudor Lounge last night of the Otago Expansion League, The president (Air J; J. .Marlow) presided over a representative attendance. THE LEAGUE’S FUNCTIONS. “ Ne'er in the history, of Otago was there greater need of an organisation on the lines of the Otago .Expansion Lhague than there is to-day,”’said the chairman in moving the adoption of the annual report and 'balance-sheet. He doubted if . there, was any province in’the dominion with so many potential sources of wealth undeveloped, . The gold-mining industry properly developed would do much to solve the unemployment problem. “ The possibilities' of the tourist traffic properly exploited are enormous, but we must hate connection with Sbnth Westland,” continued Mr Marlow. “ There was no road connecting the East and West Coasts south of Christchurch.” The Haast Pass was Nature’s offer to overcome this difficulty, and the league must use every effort to secure the construction of this important road. The South Island-Alelbourne steamer service called : for. close attention, declared Mr Marlow. It was hard to believe that a steamer service that proved profitable fifty years ago when Melbourne and Dunedin were only about Half the size they were to-day,and, the tourist traffic was ■ almost unknown, could not be made profitable to-day. Are we prepared to quietly sit clown with the knowledge that the shipping interests necessitate us travelling an extra thousand miles to reach Melbourne? ’’asked Mr Marlow. 'The latest matter, to engage the’attention of the executive was the route of power line from the Waitaki Hydro Works. Whilst not presuming to dictate to the authorities what route they should use, the league did ask them to investigate the advantage of using the old Waikouaiti road. This would, ho believed, be shorter, easily accessible, and would prevent the necessity of going through a large number of private properties with the consequent risk, and xin addition would not impede the development and settlement jof Wakari district. These matters would’ occupy the' attention of the league during the current year, and doubtless other questions of provincial and dominion interest would arise. ' ■ ' . 1 The league was a-u expression of that public opinion which unless ..voiced by some body or association , was apt : to be unheard. Its sole aim arid object was to advance the interests of the city and province, and in that work could only go: as far. as public support would allow. 'For twentyrtwo years the league had striven to attain that end and to deserve the support of the people, and was ready and willing to continue this service. PAST ACTIVITIES.

The adoption of the report and bal-ance-sheet was seconded by Air J. Inglis AVright, who said it'was very gratifying for .them to meet on the twenty-second anniversary of the foundation of • the organisation. It seemed to him that after all those years—during which they had had a good deal of trouble, anxiety, and labour—they could claim to have’ been of service to the city and the piovince ; of Otago, but they had not’received the increased financial support they were, entitled to and were entitled to expect. , • : There were many c.l.h-ir organisations working towards'various ends, said Air Wright, but no organisation was taking so wide a view or'labouring mbro for better 'conditions for Otago and Dunedin in particular 1 than the Otago Expansion League. : ■Reference had- been made’ to matters.that’ had occupied the attention of the league in the past and which it had brought to function, but the league’s connection with many of them had been lost sight of. He mentioned first of all the establishment of an; Electric Power Board in Otago. It was the Expansion League first of all which brought the matter into being. A very great deal of work’bad been done, and practically the league had fathered the scheme for setting up the Electric Power Board and for the reticulation of Otago. The establishment of boys’ clubs in connection with farming was another matter that had-engaged the attention of the league. This scheme had gone into successful operation, aud he was sorry to see the Government was reducing the-subsidy.. He was hopeful that in better times it would be replaced.

They should not forget, said Mr Wright, that they were one of the bodies which had hammered for the erection of the Post Office, and ho was glad that at last they were to be blessed with something with which they should have had years ago. Another matter that should have the growing support of the public and the Government was the development of the gold industry, Mr .Wright declared. Gold was the only product with which they did uot come into competition with other countries. Yet what was being done to further this industry? All that was being done was “a mere fieabite.” The Government was “sitting tight.” All that was being done seemed to bo by the Unemployment Board. It appeared to him that the Government did not realise the potentialities of the industry. Those qualified gave au expert opinion that there was gold in Central Otago in vast quantities, and all that was being done was to scratch the surface, when with, a little effort they plight have a rejuvenation of this industry. Dealing briefly with afforestation. .Mr Wright said that it wonld.be the making of Central Otago. The bleak, arid hillsides could be made a source of wealth by the adoption of a live policy of afforestation The speaker said that there was also the old trouble of lack of direct communication between Dun edin and Melbourne. If there were any more long-suffering people in the dominion than those of Dunedin he had yet to meet them. If similar conditions prevailed in Auckland they would have had communication effected years ago. ; “We are very badly needing this service,” declared Air ■ A\ right. People coming here from Melbourne had to go to Sydney, and then to Wellington or Auckland, before coming on to Dunedin. This was a matter the league must take a very active interest in. U they could not get it worked with the present organisation, then they must net some other organisation. ° He was pleased to see that the league ; was still alive, still active, and still serving the city and the province. The •balance-sheet was . about the smallest they had had and he was hopeful that the next move would be upwards. (Applause.) TOURIST TRAFFIC. Mr G. Errington, in speaking to the report, said the members appreciated the services of Mr Marlow during the pait year as president. It was very satisfactory to notice the increased interest being taken in the tourist traffic, which could be made one of our greatest primary industries. There was a remarkable variety of scenery in New Zealand, and still more publicity was needed. Mr Errington also referred to the need of greater financial support for the league. ■ ■ 1 Air R. S. Black pointed out that greater publicity was given to the tourist attractions of the North Island than those of the South Island. Both in the Tourist Office of Dunedin and Christchurch they would, find that most of the pamphlets to be had .dealt with the North island. Mr Black went on to refer to various activities and achievements ■ of the league. Speaking of tourist traffic, he said the South Island had attractions which could not be ' excelled in the world, and pointed out the need of a direct steamer service with Australia. Ho hoped that greater financial support would be given to the league. HAAST PASS ROAD. Mr H. M. Mackay said he would like to stress the needs of the baekblock settlers. He had noticed it. said that the Haast Pass road was to be purely a tourist route, but he would like to point out that the settlers in Southern Westland and Okuru wanted a way to get their products to the markets of Otago. The road should be lor the benefit of the settlers as well as tor tourist traffic. The league should take up the cudgels very strongly on behalt of the settlers iu the backblocks. who were suffering many trials and tribulations. The road would open up much timber land arid give access to fuuch mineral wealth. , Air P.'-W. Breen said that, on behalf of the Otago Motor Club, he desired to congratulate the executive and its chairman and those others who gave their time and attention towards the interests- of Otago. Wanaka was fortunate in having Air Mackay to boost it. Referring to the Haast Pass road, Mr Breen said that they, as motorists, did not think the road would be purely a tourist route. Thov visualised a complete round trip for the South Island. At the.same time there were fifty miles on the Alakarora road blocked by slips, and he understood the Highways Board was going to clear it and maintain it in future. It was a pity from the tourist point of view that the Haast, Pass road was not going to be completed, but it also had immense possibilities from the settlers’ point of view, and he hoped the Otago Expansion League would keep the matter in view and stress the need for the Government, to complete the Haast Pass road. (Applause.! | kingston-queenstown road. ■ Although he did not wish to criticise j the league, Air S. B. Atacdonald said j he thought it had made a mistake in | indicating to the Government that it j was not in favour of the opening of the

road between Kingston and Queenstown. To his mind this road was absolutely essential to the wellbeing of Central ucago, not from a tourist point of view, but from the settlers’ point of view. It bad been said that if the road was opened up steamer traffic on the lake would cease, but that was altogether wrong. It was about time the people of Otago and the people of iS'ew Zealand took into mind the absolute wanton ' waste on steamer traffic on Lake Wakatipu. When the Government showed them that there was a loss of £7,000 a year on one boat alone it was time the league endeavoured to help the position by urging the opening of this road. Speaking of the route from Lake Te Auau to Alilford Sound Mr Macdonald said there was no finer scenic route iu New Zealand, and the league should do its utmost to get the Government to finish, this route. One of the urgent works of the executive should be to keep this matter in the forefront of its activities. The Haast Pass road was uot only a tourist route but a necessity for the wellbeing of South Westland aud for the round trip of the South island, but would be used by the settlers who were completely isolated from the rest-of New Zealand He congratulated the chairman and executive ou the work they had done during liie year.. (Applause.) The report and balance-sheet were adopted unanimously. office-bearers. Air J. J. Alarlow was re-elected president for the ensuing year. .Messrs R. S. Black; W. B. Taverner, and G. J. Errington were re-elected vice-presidents. The following Executive Committee was elected:—Messrs -I. W. Alunro, M.P.. J. Inglis Wright. D. Tannock, .1. L. Passmore. W. J. Wiuefield, H. AI. Alackay, W. A. Scott, G. Nowey, S. B. Crawford,, A. R. Ellis, H. - APDowal) Smith, A.' Smiley, J. Jackson Purdie, .1. APCrae. W. H. Carson, F. Reid; and Dr Fergus. . • ' Messrs Barr, Burgess, and Stewart were reappointed auditors. ADDRESS ON AFFORESTATION. Air Taverner said the subject of afforestation was one of national importance. It was said that this was an age of concrete and steel, blit he would point out that the use of timber was on the increase. He referred to the tremendous'quantity of, newsprint used daily, in the production of newspapers. The emergency of war emphasised the spoliation of forests in Great Britain, and now some 15.000 acres were being planted annually in that country. The matter was met. being altogether neglected in New. Zealand. The area controlled by the State Forestry Service of the dominion was 7,841,438 acres, of which 5,000,000 acres were designated as .protective forests. Land for afforestation purposes should not cost more than 30s an acre, and it was not desirable to use land which was suitable for short-term crops or grazing. An effort’ was made -in 1929 to secure an area near Dunedin for State afforestation purposes; but was not sue-, cessful. In the North Island there was' an . area of 273,464 acres planted in soft woods and an-areal of 205,000 was available ; and in the South Island an area of 64,000 acres, was planted in soft woods, and 23.500 acres were available. New Zealand was an ideal treegrowing country, and he believed that in the future it would lead in the southern part of the world in the production of soft woods: In soft woods the national resources were: State Forestry Service, 365,700 acres; companies, 233,300 acres; and local bodies, 30.000 acres. Ho believed a big market would-be found in Australia for soft woods grown in New Zealand. There were those who envisaged a thriving newsprint industry, but it was his view that the bulk of the soft woods produced in New Zealand would be used as timber, uot only locally but also iri Australia. In 1932 the timber used in New Zealand was 153.000.000 ft. and of’ that 13,000.000 ft was soft woods, the latter of a value of £88.000.’ Owing to tbV depression there had been a restriction iu tree planting, there being a reduction in the annual planting from 58,000 acres to 13,000 acres last year. In Europe the policy had been for many years to plant and encourage plantations near big cities. That pafticluarly obtained throughout France aud Germany. There was no more useful work to be performed than in tree planting, which would provide employment in the makv ing of roads and fire-breaks, etc. Future generations would reap the greatest benefit. Our native forests could not be replaced, but in many ways the damage could be repaired. There was scope in Central tago for afforestation. though he admitted there might be difficulty in obtaining land at a reasonable price. The work was one for the State and for local'bodies. The subject was one in which the league might well take an'interest. ' Mr R. S. Black voiced the appreciation of the meeting at the constructive address given by Mr Taj-erner, and moved a vote of thanks to the speaker. The Chairman endorsed the remarks of Air Black, and said that be agreed with Air Taverner that the configuration of the country would not lend itself to the wood pulp industry to any

extent. Before that could l>e remunerative they must have soft timber on a waterway. They were very grateful to Mr Taverner for bis address. Mr James Ho"(i seconded the motion and thanked Mr Taverner for what, had been a most interesting and practical address. The motion was carried by acclamation.