SOUTHLAND MEMBERS

Southland Times, Issue 18819, 12 May 1920, Page 6

SOUTHLAND MEMBERS

MEETING THIS WEEK. MATTERS OF GENERAL INTEREST CONSIDERED. Southern members held their meeting on Monday in the Post Office Buildings. A telegram was received from the Prime Minister stating that Bluff had been given sufficient meat space to relieve present congestion. A letter from the Chamber of Commerce was received regarding a flat rate for oversea freights and making Bluff a port of call Members decided that the chairman and president of the Chamber of Commerce should interview the Minister. Hon. Mr Coates, who is visiting Invercargill on Thursday. A deputation was received from the South African War Veteran’s Association asking members to assist in getting legislation passed granting South African war veterans the same privileges regarding land settlement as are now available for returned soldiers from the last war. The members agreed to give their assistance. The following matters were brought up by members to be put before the Minister of Railways:—Scarcity of trucks for farmers’ grain, etc. —It was suggested that the railway department should keep trucks free after the New Year holidays were over and give the farmers the trucks that were required and not to keep them bottled up till Easter; that porters be pftt on throughout Southland during the busy season, which was later than in the north, so as to avoid the present congestion in places; that a faster passenger train be run at least once a week to Lumsdcn, Tuatapere, and Tokanui; that some means of caring for goods left at sheds at which there are no stationmasters be devised. It was decided to urge the Minister of Health that a Health Officer be appointed for Southland. A deputation was received from the Farmers’ Union for members to urge the Minister of Education to obtain some improvements in country schools, the chief items being the overcrowding in small schools, and the necessity for more certificated teachers. It was argued that the country got the bulk of the uncertificated teachers. The deputation did not favour centralisation. Members agreed to do all possible in regard to these suggestions to bring country schools more in line with those of the town. A deputation from the Returned Soldiers’ Association agreed that their business should be held over until the next meeting. The Mayor (Mr John Stead) Mr J. Cros-by-Smith and Mr J. T. Carswell waited on the members as a deputation urging that a grant of £SOOO should be made by the Government for a museum in Invercargill. The members agreed to support the request. The next meeting will be held about June 10.