The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 1928. MINING INTERESTS.

Hokitika Guardian, 11 September 1928, Page 2

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 1928. MINING INTERESTS.

The Mines Statement this year was the cause of a very talkative afternoon' in the House- of Representatives last Friday. Tile principal theme was the clash between the Prime Minister and some members of the Labour Party regarding the differences which have been manifested of late where some coal-miners have elected to- work on tribute, thereby engendering the active opposition of the unionist section. There were some sharp exchanges across the floor of the House, but Mr Coates made it plain the Government was behind the workmen in giving security as regards the right to work if they sought to do so under any reasonable system. However, it is not the intention to refer to-day to the special aspect referred to, hut to pass on to a speecli made by Mr Seddon also on the Mines Statement. He, too, had something to say about the coal mining policy of the Department, but in another direction, the system of granting areas to co-operative parties to work coal seams. Mr Seddon stressed a special case where a party of co-operative workers had not had a fair deal, being superseded by a more favoured party, and Afr Seddon asked for justice for tile party, as well as a more defined system of dealing with sucli applications in the future. On that point ho appeared to have the assurance of the Prime Minister, who is the aetingMinister in charge of the Mines Department, that a hotter system would he introduced. But Mr Seddon went further and discussed mining interests at some length, putting in a sound plea for more assistance and encouragement to gold mining. This is an aspect of mining, far too long neglected. The question is revived from time to time, but without effective result. There must in the not distant future be a definite allocation of the Mines portfolio, and we hope it will bo the early task of the new Minister to take up the subject referred to with a view of assisting to promote the goldmining interests in a practical way. Mr Coates has charge of the portfolio temporarily, and he has his hands full enough with other important matters to give the subject the study it deserves. It is impossible to contemplate what gold mining lias done in promoting the peopling and development of New Zealand in former days, without acknowledging the debt dae to mining as a great factor in national advancement. And having acknowledged that result, the position of the industry to-day should claim some attention. Mining has steadily dropped back and an active ’Minister of Mines would look for reasons and for a remedy. .It will not bo admitted on the evidence that mining possibilities are exhausted, and on that account there should be a forward policy to seek to revive its lienefits for the country at large. It is common Knowledge that the advance in prices ail round, while the staple value of gold has remained stationary, has reduced the margin of profit. There is a starting off point in that state of affairs, and Government could moot the position to some extent by reducing preliminary costs to those prepared

to set about in a genuine way to undertake legitimate mining. Tills could bo done through the tariff and through official fees, and the general conditions ami procedure under which titles have to be procured. Then, in regard to prospecting, tho Mines Department should give a more generous, lead both in rates of assisted remuneration and in providing access to remote or difficult localities. The easily won gold has not been overlooked, and prospectors must go back to a greater extent. There is room for more generous assistance in this and other directions, which should occur to a live Minister of Mines, who cares to study tho problem thoroughly Because of the promising outlook we hope Mr Scddon’s appeal will bear fruit, and that at no distant date a live mining policy will bo in force for the advantage ol tllo country. ,