PETROLEUM BILL

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Volume 81, Issue 65, 9 December 1937, Page 6

PETROLEUM BILL

i— Press Association.)

Amendment Concerning Royalties Withdrawn PROSPECTING FOR OIL

(B? Telegrapl

WELLINGTON, This Day._ On the resumption of the debate in the House of Representatives on the committal of the Petroleum Bill, which was adjourned * on December 6, the Minister of Mines, the Hon. P. G« Webb, said in the House of Representa-> tives to-day tbat when the debate was previously adjourned the amendment concerning ihe division of royalties nioved by Mr. W. J. Broadfoot (Nat., Waitomo) was under consideration. It appeared that at that late hour in the session there was a possibility that the Bill might not pass .before the Christmas recess. He felt that no division of opinion on the question of royalties. should be big enough to prevent prospecting for oil from proceeding, and an arrangement had been made with the Opposition that Mr. Broadfoot 's amendment should be withdrawn and that the Bill should be allowed to pro* ceed on condition that facilities after the recess would be provided fof diai cussion oi the question of division of royalties. Personally, he did not think that royalties should be divided - between the State and property-owner« at all. - If the Bill were now allowed to pass he was confident that within six months they would have one of the largest boring plants in the world in oper.ation in the Dominion. If the measure were not passed it would he a nationai, almost an Empire, caiamity. The Leader of the Opposition, the Hon. Adam Hamilton, said that the: Bill would be allowed t» proceed pro-( vided opportunity would be given for consideration of the question of royalties later in the session. The ; amendment was withdrawn Mr. Broadfoot in view of the assurance given by Mr. Webb, and the Bill was committed.