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Hokitika Guardian, 1 October 1927, Page 2

Tin: new duty proposed on gold-dredg-ing machinery i.s a surprising increase, and as it affects the life of the industry in this district, it can be well understood there is every justification for a strong protest from this quarter. The main feature of the case is that the principal requirements for gold, dredging on the lines conducted at South Hokitika, cannot he manufactured in New Zealand, and it is essential to import from the ITiited States where there is the plant and equipment for the manufacture ol the special strength required. This fact brings the plant under the very high duty of 40 per cent., which of course, is a prohibitive levy. The obvious effect would be to cause the industry to practically shut down. There certainly can be no expansion. and that fact will affect future prospecting, which would then he unnecessary. The class ol dredging pursued at South Hokitika deals with country practically of little value, excepting for the purpose now being used. The harvest of the timber lias been reaped, and the turning over of the ground is necessary to win the gold. Thereafter the area may be of some productive value. The local Industry here has been of groat importance to the town. The district has derived greater profit- from the industry than the sliareh dders. The Company has been a good employer, and been llu* means of expending a large sum of money in the district. If its work is now checked or hampered, the coniiminilv will feel the resultant pinch, fj is well, therefore, that the local bodies should take up Ihe matter, and support the Company in the representations it will make. The effeet on the mining industry, should a deadlock arise, will he depressing all round, because other ventures were contemplated. and these perforce, must now he abandoned. Important developments were looked for at Teremakau, and also on the higher terraces of South Hokitika. The ventures would he impossible under tho increased tariff. As so much is involved affecting tlio future of tbo mining hulastry, and Lho prosperity of the centres concerned, it i.s to he hoped reasonable review will ho made with the object of removing tho present threatening check to I he' progress of gold dredging in and about tho district.