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Hokitika Guardian, 5 March 1926, Page 2

At Kumara on Wednesday tluo Alinister of Mines outlined the change in the prospecting scheme it is proposed to tiling about. In one respect it is of a very practical nature, and follows the lines long advocated, namely that a new method should be introduced wheivjhy a geologist should he at the head of a party so its to examine all strata passed through and satisfy himself as to its intrinsic value. The weak spot, in the scheme is that it isto he a subsidised method in which local bodies or prospecting associations are to hud £ for it of the cost incurred. In the matter of now alluvial finds or of diflicult prospecting in the hack country, it is not likely much money can be found; nothing large •enough for the cost which would have to be incurred. Where private enterprise lias its own proposals it will find its own money for prospecting, for Government regulations under the Mines Department are too harassing and too difficult to work under by the party or syndicate going about its own proposition. If the Minister wishes to establish a new era. lie will require to offer a more generous .subsidy. After all. the result of the prospecting is to enhance the value of live Crown Estate. hooking hack to the value mining developments have been as a fleeting the advancement of this country, it must he realised that a great deal is owing to the mining industry for what it. has done. The successive rushes to the Otago. Auckland and West. Coast goldfields built up the population of the country rapidly, and in a manner no other available means could have done. There is a debt, to lie repaid. But- in the liepaying of that debt hv a more liberal prospecting subsidy, there is the prospect always of reaping a. rich reward. The task of prospecting is largely speculative and the country is best able io hear the brunt of the expenditure involved in the task. I.oial body funds are cramped and confined. In ibis district much mining revenue has been taken from them hv reason of the loss of royalties. While that, has been going on, other burdens have been added-to the expenditure account, of local revenue, and there is not. likclv to he much free money for an expensive prospecting .scheme on a £ for £ basis. The AHnister or tln* Government must, needs lie more generous as to the basis of the subsidy if it. is to achieve all that, is desired and hoped for,