A PUBLIC MEETING

Hokitika Guardian, 10 April 1920, Page 3

A PUBLIC MEETING

PROPOSED PROGRESS LEAGUE. The meeting called for last evening at the Town Hall for the purpose of hearing Mr P. R. Ciimie, Organiser of the Canterbury Progress League, was fairly well attended, \ about fifty ' representative citizens being present. The Mayor (Mr G. A. Perry) presided . and introduced Mr Ciimie who had come to explain the principle of the ; League and to invite their support and interest in the movement. | Mr Climio, who was cordially received ’ said he had come there to explain the objects of the Progress League and to invite their support thereto. The Canterbury League had decided that every 1 encouragement should be given to the | formation of a League on the West [ Coast, Nelson and Marlborough, and | he had been sent across to give what assistance he could. It was realised that the South Island was not making the progress it should be making in comparison to the North Island and the League is a step in the right direction

for the proper watching of the interests of the district. He had c°me here therefore to ask them to form a League similar to that of Canterbury and then they would bo able to co-operate and one help the other. He had been instructed to come and offer his assistance and advice, but he desired to leave it to the people themselves to decide whether they would avail themselves of the opportunity. He had come because lie considered that the step proposed would prove advantageeous to the district as a whole. To push on their interests it was advis--1 able to co-operate. The North Island , has a, larger proportion of members of j parliament than the South Island and ! it was necessary to repair the shortage jof members of parliament by the for- ' mation of a Progress League which j could unitedly press the claims of the districts with the government. It was recognised that the district that could I open its mouth the widest is the one j that makes the most progress. The Canterbury Progress League was a real , live institution that has come to stay. It had already accomplished much, but there were many matters that still rej quired their urgent attention. He in- ! stanced one work carried out was 'the carrying out of the delivery of mails | during the train curtailment when there was the shortage of coal and pointed out as an instance of the League’s power that the Government had ultimately found the money involved, some hundreds of pounds, that it had cost to carry on the service, which had proved a great boon to the country people of Canterbury. Another subject that was receiving special attention was that of hydro-electricity. The iLeague aimed at connecting .up every farm in Canterbury, as they recognised the great advantages this would offer. Through their efforts travelling libraries had been made available to the country districts and there were many other matters affecting the public interests that were receiving their attention. A branch of the League had been formed at Westport and he honed similar action would be taken at .Grey and Hokitika. In the matter of the Arthur’s Pass tunnel a. strong effort had been made to have the worck pushed on, and they were not going to stop, and allow the effort to lie dormant, hut would continue the agitation until the work was completed. He pointed out that local bodies in Canterbury were enabled by special provision in a Washing-up Bill to contribute to the funds of the Progress 'League. The Canterbury League represented 107 local bodies and asosciations and was fully representative of Canterbury. He would he glad to answer any questions on the subject and asked for the fullest dis-

cussion. Mr Seddon asked if the proposed League would interfere with the- Chamber of Commerce.

Mr Ciimie aiscl that the Chamber would form part of tlie League. In Canterbury the Chamber and League were working hand and glove together. It was felt that the League was more democratic as it embraced all portions of the community while a Chamber of Commerce represented only one section. Hon. H. L. Michel said they were indebted to Mr Ciimie for coming here and giving them such a lucid and interesting address. He moved that the meeting heartily endorses the proposal to form a Westland Progress League on the lines of the Canterbury League. It was fitting that they should co-ope-rate in every possible way with Canterbury in this matter, especially as their interests were so vitally associated. He emphasised the assistance that had always been given to Westland matter by the people of Canterbury. Mr Seddon seconded the -motion, and expressed liis appreciation of the interesting speech given by Mi' Ciimie. He know that the Canterbury members of Parliament are united and working together for the general good \of their district. They should all work together with tlie Canterbury League. 'lbo West Coast had already had great assistance from the Canterbury League in connection with Otira tunnel. They hud issued a most interesting pamphlet thereon full of uncontrovertable facts. He had been sorry lie had. been unable to got the Hon. Mr Coates to visit the Coast with him. The whole spirit of Mr Climie’s remarks were co-operation. Any League that c an do good for the district. Mr Butler asked if* it was proposed to make the League for Hokitika or the ' Coast.

I Mr Ciimie said lie was not there to 1 say hut he thought it should cover the whole of Westland, with similar organt- ‘ sations in Buller and Grey, hut that was a matter for the executive when set up to decide. | Mr. Michel said his resolution was ‘ intended to mean the district south l of the Teremaknu. He referred to the very important nature of the League and how they could help each other, j The motion was then agreed to. M r Michel then moved (lint the Mayor, County Chairman and Chamber of Commerce bo asked to take the necessary steps.

The Mayor said' lie felt that the Chamber of Commerce took up the role of the League. He thought the place was too small for too many bodies. He would like to support the proposed League hut could not conscientiously do so for that reason, though he would ap-

■f prove of it affiliating with the Chambei of Commerce in some form. I Mr AVild asid he heartily approved ol applying for the assistance of the Chamber of Commerce, while he heartily approved and appreciated the’ assistance of Canterebury people and the League. The Chamber consisted of the cream of the public spirited townspeople, but the district was too small, for a multiplication of public bodies. He would sugI gest that if found advisable to allow j the Chamber of Commerce to be ab- ; sorbed in the Progress League, the objects of which had their approval. Mr Ciimie pointed out that he did not know the position of the local Chamber of Commerce, but speaking generally, they were seen, by a. few people. The ywould —?— —?—.?—? pie. They wanted something stronger | than a Chamber of Commerce, and j must have an assurred finance. He ap- ! predated the good secretary of the Chambe rof Commerce, blit the Chamber, by reason of its composition could nt have the big pull on the Government that the Progress League, representative of the district, woidd live. Mr AVikl. moved that the Executive of the Chamber of Commerce with Messrs Coulson, Breeze Jeffries and Dr Teichelnmnn form a Committee to get the movement under way. Seconded by Mr Breeze, who objected to Mr AVild’s remark as to the cream of the townspeople being on the Cham-, her of Commerce. Dr Teichelmann said he did not want to go on tlie 'Committee. He looked on the Chamber of Commerce as a Progress League, and thought all it wanted was widening out in its functions.

Mr AV. J. Butler said there was a wide distinction between a. Progress League and Chamber of Commerce, a Progress League would form a federation of local bodies and would have an assured finance.

Air J. Ritchie said lie had joined the Chamber of Commerce when lie bad first come to Hokitika, but liad found it worked for one object only. The wants of South Westland were many and there was no place where co-opera-tion was wanted more than in South AVestland.

Mr Pilkington asked for some information a sto details of the working of the League and the formation of membership and executive. Mr Ciimie gave a number of details and said shortly the League should be a federation of local bodies backed up by the whole community. The motion was then agreed to.

Mr T. W. Duff in moving a hearty vote of thanks to Mr Ciimie for his interesting address and attendance, expressed the hope that the League would be established as he considered it would prove of great value in advancing the best interests of the district. Th© motion was carried by acclamation. Mr Ciimie briefly acknowledged the vote and the usual compliment to the Mayor terminated the meeting.