SOUTHERN DEVELOPMENT.

Taranaki Daily News, 17 July 1919, Page 5

SOUTHERN DEVELOPMENT.

A CONFERENCE AT TIMARU. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Timaru, Yesterday. The Soutli Island conference of development leagues met here this morning. A considerable- number of delegates were present, and others were prevented from participating on account of the collapse of the railway service. The delegates wary accordofl a civil welcome by the Mayor (Mr. ». Craigie, (M.P.), who, in his opening a<V| dress, reviewed the objects of the League, and urged the necessity for the development of hydro-electric power and land settlement, especially for soldiers, urging that an effort should be made to enable them te settle in the proximity of the locality where they were brought up and their relative* reside. The Hoa. Q, W Russell delivered a lengthy address, dealing largely with population statistic*, hospitals, and their services. Ho said the war had revealed a groat many unfit, and it-was necessary to take steps to remedy the defects in order to build up a strong, virile race, capable of successfully fighting the battle of the future. In order to do this it would be naoesss.ry for the Government to spend considerable sums. He also urged the immediate harnessing of the Dominion's vast water-power resources, without which it was impossible for the Dominion to take lior rightful place.