EXPANSION LEAGUE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 2052, 8 November 1919, Page 3

EXPANSION LEAGUE.

ADVANCEMENT OP WELLINGTON PROVINCE. CONFERENCE AT PALMERSTON NORTH. Another era in the progress of Wellington Province was reached at Palmerston North on Thursday at a conference convened by the Wellington Central Chamber of Commerce to consider the formation of a Wellington Provincial Expansion or Development League. Mr C. M. Luke presided over a comparatively small attendance of delegates from the different local bodies and associations.

■ In bis opening remarks, the chairman recalled that tlie first conference had been called Just before the war. It had occurred to some of them that it was necessary to have an executive body in order to keep going. In his opinion the Dominion was to undergo a period of prosperity, in spite - of which, however*, the problem of taxation was being felt and would be felt later on when prices now ruling came down. He referred to the necessity tor increased production. The only way to bring about this was to have improved machinery. The position of the league would be the means of giving effect to the aspirations in the public interest of the provinces. In Southland, where a league had been established, hydro-electric power had been introduced. Similar, leagues had been established in North and South Canterbury, Auckland and Napier. It had been suggested that Hawke’s Bay should link up. Combination would result in the betterment of the province. Public works were being held up through want of combination. The La.M Coast railnay was an example, the need Idr which had been admit led b\ (he Minister.

Mr W. S. Wilson said the members of the Otago League met every year t„ allow of a conference between the members of the local bodies and members of Parliament before the session. The league had educated the people of Otago to realise (he necessity for water-power, and they were now about to get £1,000’,000 for the development of the waterpower of Otago. It seemed that they were going lo heat the Oovcriiiiicnl in getting some North Island scheme going. They had already sold £50,000 worth of prospective power. lie (hen moved that the meeting give act ive support to the I urinal ion of the league, having as its aim the advancement of the Broviime of Wellington and the Dominion generally.

In strongly supporting the motion, Mr Harford, of Ueilding. said that one (i t the objects of the league should be the proposed I'aekakariki Hill Road

Mr Wilson proposed that the words “province of Wellington” should he struck out ami that the words “(lie southern portion of the North Island” should lie substituted, mi as to embrace,a-'wider stretch of country.

This was agreed to. Mr E. H. Crab!) dwelt mi flic necessity for co-operation with tlie local bodies in order lo gain financial assistance, instead of relying on an annual subscription of members. According to Air Malhieson, of Fkctahiina, the work of the league should rightly he carried on by the Government.

Other menders disagreed with this contention, holding that it was the duty of the league to assist the Government in a democratic wa\.

Complaint was made by Air G. Frost, representing the Wellington City Council, that Wellington province had been neglected when the last amount of £3,090,000 for public works was distributed.

Mr Malhieson, of Levin, suggested that sumo form of assessment should be arrived at to allow delegates to place some definite proposition before the bodies they represented.

Air Horublow, of Eoxton, stressed the necessity for afforestation of the sand dunes on the W est Coast of the North Island, pointing out that, the league would have a chance of forcing,on this important work. Mr Cotton,, Lower Hutt, suggested that delegates should place before (heir own bodies a proposal to establish branches in their own towns. Mr Wilson pointed out 'that one of the objects id' the league should be to undertake Parliamentary reform in the direction of cutting down the number of members and increasing their salaries. The motion relative to the formation oftho league was then put and carried unanimously, its amended. It was also decided that the constitution and rules of the Otago expansion League be adopted for guidance until the first conference convened by the association vas held. Palmerston North was fixed as the centre for the executive headquarters. * The following Provisional Committee was elected: Messrs C. M. Luke (Wellington), E. H. Crabb (Palmerston North), C. E. Daniell (Masterton),. H. P. Horne (Woodville), D. IV. Matheson (Levin), J. Ghrystall (Foxton), W. S. Wilson (Wellington), W. F. Bramwell (Pending), J. P. Luke, ALP. (Wellington), Wk B. Mtifliiesou (Eketahuna), and E. L. Broad (Palmerston N.), with members of Parliament ex-of-ficio, and power to add to their number.

The functions of (he committee will be to secure the formation of the league and to act-as an executive council until 'the Hrst coulerence is convened. .- Mr W. M'Kenzie, of Palmerston North, was elected secretary. The appointment of organiser was left in the hands of the committee. The

committee will also report on the question of finance, and fix the place for the next conference.