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Hokitika Guardian, 21 July 1930, Page 4

The movement taking shape in Otago and Sou inland to approach the Government with a view to assisting gold mining with a subsidy on gold recovered, is worthy of suppoit, because of the economic value of the action. The country and the world in general needs gold, and if New Zealand can assist in providmg this medium of sterling value, it will do good service to the world at large. When the rise in prices of goods resulted in the war period, the price for gold, standarised as it is, was the subject ofj discussion in this district, and representations were made to the Massey Government to help in the matter. Mr Massey con* isidered it a matter for the Imperial Government, as all gold was commandeered. The most the New Zealand Government would do was to make

representations to the British Government, but .although there was much tn’k, nothing tangible resulted. The position was that all tools and commodities used in mining ns well as labour, rose substantially, but gold remained stable, and could not return more to tbe winner than in pre-war times with prices normal. Under the abnormal conditions of the times, gold mining slipped back, and less gold is being won because there are less men working. ' The individual miner has almost passed away. There is blit little doubt if a bonus of £1 . per ounce were added to tlie price of gold it would stimulate the industry very considerably, and open up more avenues for profitable employment. ' The Government at present is in many instances paying out £2 for £1 for relief work which has little community value. A gold bonus, as. suggested, would produce a far more tangible return, and the extra gold won would help to .stabilise the national credit, and assist to govern exchange rates. The proposal has great economic possibilities for the advantage of the country, while, should such a bonus result in the opening up of of a new gold field, the reward for the benefit of the Dominion as a whole, would indeed be a handsome one. The matter is one well worthy of support by all localities ifamillnr with the life of an active goldfield district,