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Taranaki Daily News, 12 November 1918, Page 4

A USEFUL INSTITUTION. ( The adjourned annual meeting of the New Plymouth Expansion and Tourist League is set down for this evening, and it will be for the citizens to 'say whether the i League is to bo disbanded or not. The chief function of the League is to distribute information regarding New Plymouth and district as a holiday centre and place of residence, and to arrange itineraries for visitors on their arrival. The real need the League is filling in this respect may bk judged from the fact that last summerlthe sec-i rotary dealt with between 450 and 500 applications for information. The fact of the matter is New Plymouth is becoming more and more of a holiday centre, hence a central inquiry bureau, like tlhat established by the League, is now an absolute necessity, if justice is to bo done to the town. The work of the League has been carried 'on for' years past by a limited number of townsmen, who feel that as the League's operations affect all classes of the community, a more general interest in its affairs might bo manifested. If not, they ore prepared to drop the work altogether. Now. it is obvious that this would be a great mistake. The claims of New Plymouth, both for holidaying and residential purposes, should be pressed now more than ever, for there is no other place in the Dominion that can offer the same attractions or inducements. Every year hundreds of people leave tlhe south to retire to Auckland, and there is no reason, if the position is put plainly before them, why a considerable proportion should not be attracted to New Plymouth. The League* has shown what can be done by judicious publicity, and instead of allowing it to die, the townspeople would bo well advised, in their own interests, to back up the League more solidly than ever. New Plymouth will be exactly what its people make it, and if they bestir themselves it is quite possible to double the population within the next few years. That should be the aim of every loyal townsman. The machinery is already available; it only requires to be accelerated. In, any case, men wllio have been striving to promote the interests of the town, without any thought of personal benefit, are entitled to support and encouragement, and for that reason we trust there will oe a good attendance at to-night's meeting.