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Hokitika Guardian, 4 March 1927, Page 2

Thk prospecting era is returning'. This is a sign of Hie limes, no doubt,, employnienl uni being so general. But il is something in he pleas'<l with all the same. With prospecting. nil things are possible in a eoilnll’y so highly mineralised ns lhi<, Bai lies lire out in various directions-, ,‘nnl it is good lo hear the eld spirit is not dead yet. There is hope ini- the fiitilrh mineral development of Westland. While the spirit is rampant-. \|o.M 'of the parties are seeking gold, hut at least two other parties have other minerals in view. What is being done spoil* tnncoiisly should help to recall to mind that nothing is attempted yet in an organised way by State Prospecting. Schemes and proposals to ensure that have been put, forwnrd from time to time, hut all ended ill talk. It is for the local bodies or lot'll) organisations to formulate adequate proposals, iiiid il is believed State aid will he forthcom-

ing. A territory such as this so rich in mineral treasure should not be neglected for so long. As a mean's to afford wider employment ami assist in national progress, any forward scheme or policy propounded by the Government, should provide for a prospecting system to comb the countiy sysi emu t ica Ily with a view to determining the actual mineral contents. A mineral discovery would of course open up a field for wide employment quicker than any other development proposals. If then, in designing purely relief work- to provide employment, a proportion of the amount available were set aside for prospecting, the ultimate result might easily surpass all expectations. Once a mineral lode or find were discovered, the fillip to trade and industry would he remarkable. At the moment New Zealand prosperity is dependent on market values lor certain eommoditries and it would he well to have a second string to the how, so that b.v other means possible of accomplishing what is desired, a degree of prosperity would return which would help to quickly settle the unemployed problem. The contingent possibilities from a general system of prospecting are so great and so attractive that the subject should he taken up with avidity by public and State alike.