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Hokitika Guardian, 30 June 1924, Page 2

Tiir Canterbury Progress League lasi week held its annual meeting. The League has nourished now for six-

years ami shows no signs of flagging spirit. Certainly the Longue was most lortunnte in its choice of organiser. In Mr C'limie the organisation has at its service a. very capable officer, enthusiastic and alert tit every opportunity to advance provincial interests. On this side of the ranges AYostland will remain always grateful to the Canterbury League for the unstinted measure of support given to local requirements. Tt was a fortunate occasion when Mr C'limie canto this way and induced the public men to establish a local 'brunch here to work in con. junction with the parent League. The close association of AVcsthind to the league may be attributed therefore in the personal interest, of the organiser. The speakers at tlie annual meeting last week realised not only what the League had done, but what it was capable of doing. As an unofficial hotly its very life depends on the local public interest pure ami simple. Tt is a tribute to the good citizenship extant in Christchurch to find so many of the leading public men of the city eager and anxious to help in the work of local progress. There is a very strong committee under a very capable executive, and the result is the League is particularly well equipped to tackle intelligently the largest of public problems. Alnny capable citizens ulio do not care for the ordeal of a local body election, are giving their services willingly to the League in detail work of eon.sideralile importance to the community, and the district. as a whole is realising the benefit from this aggregation of talent. It speaks well of the citizen life of the community to liiul the position so, and retaining that useful help the League is sure to continue an influence in the country. The experience has its lesson for all. namely, by the association of tlu* men of nil classes the amount, of community good which can lie achieved lev intelligent application to and discussion of the questions of the hour. Tn other words, the greute-t good for the greatest number.

A mbutims is to bo held on Thursday night- of this week to organise n citizimih' ooinmii too in connection with the Hoy Scoot movement. Wo understand | that it is now essential, following :i I Into docisiun tit tlk* Dominion Conlet owe in relation to the Scoot movomont. for till centres where troops I tiro established to htivo its oitihons' o nmnittco of management. I It,>Ki ng, (n tlic purpose of the organisation it soli, it can lie well understood that this is requisite. The movement itself is for the betterment of the rising generation. anti to recognise that, a call on the citizens to help in the man. nooment is not at all out of place. The young I’enj le joining up with the Scouts are to to the citizens of M>.» lut it re, and if they sec their elders taking a personal interest- in their trainin'/, and general welfare. the young mind is impressed in the right direction. Those of our readers who have perused the Scout notes published weekly from a contributor, wi'l have realised that it is not fair to leave the whole of the training solely to the willing and self-sacrificing Scout-master, 'i lie business side of the matter could well !■,<■ taken up hy the citizens on whose behalf it is proposed to set up u committee. It is understood the Deputy .Mayor (Mr H. M. Coulson) is taking a personal interest in the matter, anti will lie willing to give a definite load to others willing to co-operate in the work proposed. That being so. and the call for assistance being insistent, it is to be hoped there "ill he ready desire on the part of many of our citizens to help. Locally the Scout movement is now* at that stage when there is every encouragement to help push it further. The boys are eager and willing and there is capable and enthusiastic leadership giving valuable time and knowledge to the work of organisation. The local organisation should tnerefore lie put on a full Scout footing, giving the troops here the same standing as in other centres, whero citizens >n the right spirit are help-

ing. AYo tnVinot believe that locally there wsll be any lagging bchiml, but on tile contrary now that the needs of the occasion are explained there will lie a general readiness to co-operate in tlio desired manner.