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Hokitika Guardian, 1 November 1930, Page 4

It uill recalled that some little time ago, a petition to Parliament was circulated in this district praying for general assistance to gold mining, and in due course the petition with other -similar petitions from Otago and elsewhere-, were presented to Parliament and referred to the Goldfields and Mines Committee for report. Just on tlio dosing of Parliament last week, the Committee reported to the House with the following recommendations:— “(1) That in the opinion of the committee the question of the granting of a -bonus on gold produced should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration.

‘‘(2) That the postal regulations which permit of £IOO worth of bullion onjy being transmitted by post adversely affects tilt* gold mining industry, alld such limitation should be abolished forthwith.

“(3) That the gold mining industry offers an opportunity for the employment of unemployed miners, and that men 'so employed will render more valuable aid to the State than is rendered by men who are employed on relief works, and that the Government by requested to> formulate and bring Ixofore the ‘Employment Hoard proposals for assisting the gold mining industry with a view to relieving unemployment.” The report was received and adopted by the House, and was referred to the Government for attention. The report contains important suggestions and it is pleasing to- isee that encouragement of a concrete character is recommended. The greatest hope in the matter appears to come from the third clause, which is a suggestion to revive the work started in years gone by by the Geological Deartment. Practical results through that channel would afford great relief to the country’s position, and is worth frying on a comprehensive- plan without delay. There will be a difficulty about increasing the price of gold, though the exchange rateis are already 'securing an improved price for gold in Australia, a fact which must stimulate the production of gold. There are suggestions of fresh mining enterprises in Westland, and. an increased price for the commodity would have a salutary effect oil the ventures. A district such as this, so highly mineralised, always presents possibilities of important developments, and a-nyj forward movement in tlie direction of promoting and developing gold-mining, is worthy oi encouragement, What the Government may do in this matter is not disclosed, but having bad a favourable reception by Parliament, the petitioners should go further and keep on pro-bing the Government to favourable -action as now recommended and advised.