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Hokitika Guardian, 28 January 1920, Page 2

Under-Secretaryship was left vacant or temporarily filled over a long term of months. It was all very disheartening. The conduct is the more remarkable when we remember that the Mines Department stands for the industry which produces the form of wealth which stands for the backing of all our paper money and credit on which the country’s prosperity is built. The more gold the country produces, the more solid the wealth and backing to the nominal prosperity disclosed by note circulation and bank balances. To stand by, therefore, and see the gold production decline and decline is to court economic suicide. Recalling what the magic effect of the gold discovery was to New Zealand it is impossible to account intelligibly for the present neglect of the indutry by those in authority. Now that there is an official head to the Department with a reputation for good solid work, we hope he will justify his selection by handling his

officers in such a way as to create a fresh spirit and a. new policy of operation to further the production of gold. Mr Massey can co-operate by selecting as Minister of Mines the most capable gentleman within Parliament, for the portfolio lias opportunities wherein much can be done to further national interests. A healthy mining

policy is called for to replace the aimless drift which has been going on of late years. The country is pregnant with mineral treasures, and these should be unearthed and turned to economic advantage. There has been far too much neglect in the past and the time lias arrived when a forward concrete policy must be pursued with the object of promoting and developing the mineral resources of this ne ily"endowed Dominion.