EXPANSION LEAGUE

Evening Star, Issue 22144, 26 September 1935, Page 16

EXPANSION LEAGUE

MONTHLY MEETING The monthly meeting of the Executive Committee of the Otago Expansion League' was held on Tuesday evening last, the president (Mr G. J. Errmgton) occupying the chair. _ In reply to the deputation s request regarding the telegraph lines on the boundary of the Taien aerodrome, the Postmaster-general (Hon. Adam Hamilton) wrote declining to shift the lines as the expense to nis department was unwarranted, and if it were necessary for aeronautic purposes to move the lines the cost should be borne by those for whose interest it was being moved. The reply was .'considered unsatisfactory, and it was resolved to inform the Aero Club of the reply and to endeavour to secure absolute evidence of the report made that North Island aerodromes had received special treatment from the department under similar conditions. The Minister of Employment (Hon. 8. G. Smith) wrote regarding the Haast Pass road, which he stated was still under consideration by the Public Works Department, and it was his intention, if so desired, to assist that department in pressing forward this work. Letters were received from Sir Charles Statham, Hon. W. Downi© Stewart, M.P.. Messrs W. J. Munro, M.P., and F. Jones, M.P., supporting the league’s request for the early construction of the Haast Pass road. They also wrote supporting the member for Clutha (Mr P. M’Skimming) in his efforts to secure a more equitable division of the cost of the new bridge over the Molyneux River at Clydevale between the Public Works Department and the local bodies.

The agenda paper of the South Island Progress Leagues’ Conference was discussed.

On the subject of aviation, the representatives of the league were requested to make a strong protest against the action of the Transport Board in granting licenses to unformed companies, while absolutely denying any opportunity to a South Island company, which had been in existence for many years, had covered over half a million miles of flight without serious accident, and was the only body attending the court which could supply reliable figures from actual experience for the information of the board. It was stated that the subject of the gold export tax would be debated, and a member of the league quoted some figures with respect to the action of the tax upon the fortunes of a gold mine in Otago, the tax representing the profit made on the venture. In consequence, the directors were seriously considering abandoning the scheme, and a number of men who for the past three years had been steadily employed at good wages would join the unemployed. The delegates, Messrs G. J. Errington, W. B. Steel, and R. S. Black, were advised of the league’s opinion on the various remits.