CONTROL OF GUM.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 222, 19 September 1928, Page 5

CONTROL OF GUM.

A MINISTERIAL DEFENCE. "IN THE INTERESTS OF INDUSTRY." IMPROVING POOR QUALITIES. 'By Telegraph.—Parliamentary' Reporter J WELLINGTON, Tuesday. The suggestion that there had been Government interference in the kaurigum industry was refuted in the House this afternoon by the Minister of Lands (Hon. A". D. McLeod). who said there had been ''control' , but no ''interference." The Minister said he would always stand for the control of industry when it was in the interests of any industry that it should be controlled. "I will always stand for private control of industry as against control by the State, or by the control of others not interested," said Mr. MeLeod. "The | Government looks upon the gum industry as an industry worth saving. Efforts are' being made to find some mean 6 whereby the lower grade gums may be prepared so that it may be placed in the market at a higher price." Mr. McLeod said he felt sure that great good could be done by the present system of control, but the endeavour which was being made to get the authority for the control of the industry re-nioved from the Statute Book was certainly militating against the usefulne?s of the Kauri Gum Control Board. ''If the board can so concentrate on tlicfc low-grade gums that they will be improved a great service will have been , done, not only to the industry, but to i the whole of the North Auckland district. It will mean millions of pounds. It i» too soon to say that the board has failed nyserably." Mr. McLeod concluded by saying he had the utmost faith in the chairman of the. board.