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Hokitika Guardian, 4 October 1918, Page 2

The event at Humphreys Gully yesterday afternoon when a large, pontoon was launched for the purpose of carrying j the machinery for one of the largest alluvia] dredges seen on the Coast is of special interest. It is a reminder that our mining interests are neither neglected nor exhausted, and that properly handled, the industry is capable of providing a wide field of employment and inueh general industrial activity. Gold is a very essentia] medium of exchange, and the war lias intensified its value for international exchange. Th e world’s output of gold is at the present J a diminishing quantity, and anything that can be done or fostered to promote • the development of the industry with a I view to increased production, should be j attempted. The dredging scheme promoted by the Westland Gold Prospecting Syndicate is of considerable extent and promise. It^wnbraces the Arahurn river and valley, where hitherto, dredging has not been possible owing to the difficulty in respect to native titles. The Syndicate is entering upon its mission with thoroughness and despatch. ]\lr D. Ziman, the managing director, has been identified in times past with important mining propositions on this Coast, including this neighbourhood. Fie is a man of wide experience, and there is no doubt about the energy he throws into his development work. One phrase of the dredging proposition in the Arahurn Valley is to restore the soil to the dredged land, thus preserving it for pastoral purposes subsequently, j This is an experiment which will be j

wracked with icterew. The scope or the work at Humphreys includes sawmilling also, the forest Joeing utilised instead of wantonly destroyed as has I,ecu the ease so often before. The whole .proposition is pregnant with possibilities, and deserves to succeed. That it will do so is most hopefully entertained by those with a- knowledge the prospecting done, which is said io have been of a very thorough nature. When the dredge is in working.older in the New Year it will be hoped the sanguine expectations will be realised.

With the war showing signs of an early termination, too much public attention cannot be given to. the repatriation of our soldiers. They deserve well of tho country they have defended for in fighting for the' defence of the Empire on European territory they actually assisted to determine the fate of New Zealand «s part of that Empire. About 100,000 men have gone from the Dominion and about one-fifth ol that- number have returned already. Some, alas will never return. But great- contingents will be returning when the war is over’ and their care- in the matter of employment is a first charge upon the young nation. The sooner they are demobilised ,and returned to civil employment the better for the country. Their military task promises to be so well performed that there should be no occasion for a standing army in the future, and in stead of military service it will be a fine thing to see them returned to the work of - production, and adding to the strength of the economic situation. ' tho Chamber of Commerce -meeting this week the question 0 f the utilisation of Westland lands for soldiers’ settlements was revived again. 80 far it has not been possible to move the Government to decisive action in Westland. Their policy seems to bo to buy expensive freeholds elsewhere, instead of paying a moiety 0 f t-lie cost in improving their own Crown lands hero. Perhaps the sub Committee of the Chamber of Commerce has set up will be able to attract the attention of the Government with some definite proposals, but it is clear that there is a rooted official prejudice against West Coast lands in higher places. Probably the who subject of repatriation of the soldiers wil| never have that svmpathic attention jtshould have till a Minister of Repatriation i« appointed To devote his whole time to the work of doing fair justice to the men who have borne the heat and burden of actual warfare.