The Hokitika Guardian FRIDAY, JUNE 23rd, 1922. PROGRESS LEAGUE FINANCE.

Hokitika Guardian, 23 June 1922, Page 2

The Hokitika Guardian FRIDAY, JUNE 23rd, 1922. PROGRESS LEAGUE FINANCE.

At the meeting of the Progress League this week it would appear, as the useful body has deckled to resoit to entertainments ns a means to raise funds, that its financial position is not, too strong. This is to be regietted lot* the Progress League by its association wilh the parent body of Canterbury is destined to he one of the most useful 1 roanisations working for the general advancement of the province. We notice that this week the C-nto' Inny I.e igne

appealed to the Christchurch City Council and was voted £-Jflo, in addition to which the Council also has recommended to the favoui able consider: ti.ill of the Finance Committee the League's request for assistance in the publication of a booklet describing Christchurch and Canterbury. Momhc.s of the deputation that waited up n the Christchurch Council enumerated q. ito modestly the performances of the Progress League from its inception up to the present time. The Lyttelton Times thinks they might have given even higher praise to this very suceessfnl and representative League without any danger of over-colouring the picture. As one of the councillors said, the League came into exist- 1 once not a moment too scon, and it is very largely, at all events, and perhaps entirely, owing to its energy and persistency that the Midland Railway is so near completion, that a breakdown in the Lake Coleridge sup ply was averted, that dpvplpppient off

this great provincial and national asset j has taken place, that Canterbury members of Parliament have been brought into regular conference, that, the de— j iivcr.v of postal matter was not inter rupteil on two occasions. We could eon. iiime the recital of benefits deiivcd through the Progress League, if that were needed, but for the moment r.c desire just to appreciate tlie unanimous support that is now to lie afforded he the council, not merely by lip ser- ■ ice but by the restoration of the council’s quota towards the funds of the league. Tf tuis body has done yeoman service in the past, it must lie lemem;ilint -there is in all probability long future before Canterbury, so lino the good work must he continued amt repeated. This cannot be done without finance, and while the league makes no greater demand upon local bodies than the trifle of sixpence per tlOOrt of capital value of property ■o are sine tlie ratepayers will conclude i that they are receiving more than value for their money. Something like what is being done in Canterbury to finance the League there, should he done in Westland to finance the branch here. The League requires finance and its finance should be assured so that it can carry on vigorously. AH the work done hen', is being done most economically. There is no charge to the cl.icu,. a I all. either for the secretarial work inn tor the time and talents given by the members of the League to aclv nice district interests. The people are being well served and as the advantages are general in their benefits, the public have an obligation thrown upon them to help the League carry on. This organisation with the support and assistance of the Canterhuiy League lias most influential eo-oporntion at call. Just now, on the eve of important developments following the opening of railway communication, there is a golden opportunity to further local advancement. The advertising movement proposed is in itself an occasion which should bo made the most of, but funds are necessaiy. A'ot a modest expenditure in that direction will serve n wonderful purpose, the benefits of which will accrue over a long term of yea is. It is'a iilmlt' of publicity worth following up well. This Province has the ware® to advertise in its noble scenic glories and its great possibilities in regard to settlement and industrial expansion and it "ill pay manifold to advertise and push the district ahead. A great help can he done by assisting the Progress longue financially in its self-imposed task.