MINING LAW,

Hokitika Guardian, 27 October 1920, Page 2

MINING LAW,

QUESTION OF GOLD PRICE.

(Our Parliamentary Correspondent.)

WELLINGTON, Oct. 26.

Hon W .F .Massey moved the second reading of the Mining Amendment Bill, which makes a number of small amendments in the mining law. A new clause was added by the Mines Committee which extends until December 31st next, the period allowed for the installation of water feed drills at quartz mines. Mr Seddon (Westland) said the Bill was disappointing. It was merely amending the Bill whereas mining districts were looking for a. policy of development. Gold production was falling off in New Zealand, and this was a serious matter for the whole country. Practical miners had made suggestions to the Government on this point. Easily won gold had been mined in the past and the time had come now for prospecting in high and back country. The assistance given to prospectors now was not adequate, and he would :suggest more liberal use of the powers already possessed by the Minister for Mines. Mr Seddon mentioned also the importance of the geological surveys. Legislation was not required to cover these points. Sympathetic administration would give th*. most of the tilings they were for. The goldminers liad not been treated fairly in regard to the price of gold during the war. Tlie export' of gold had been prohibited, and the miners liad been forced to sell to the banks at pre-war price of about £4 an ounce, when the world’s market price was as high as £6 per ounce. The demand that was being, made now, was for an additional payment to the miners on account of gold sold by them during the war. Australian miners had been paid about £4 15s an ounce for their gold '.in the war years. Mr Seddon thought the quartz miners who had refused to continue to work owing to failure of the mineowners to instal water drills within the prescribed period deserve some consideration. Clausd 8 of the Bill extends from 400 acres to 1200 acres, the maximum area of a special dredging claim. Mr Seddon showed this extension was necessary in order that alluvial deposits at Rimu Flat and elsewhere might be worked. The ground was of very pooy quality and would not be of value for any other purpose.