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Hokitika Guardian, 18 March 1931, Page 4

Wmi.K Parliament is in session, it would ho of interest and ultimate servicp if the members would turn som-e little attention to the fortunes of gold mining with the object of increasing the annual gold yield. Tn gold there is a commodity not subject to market fluctuations, and which produced, helps to stabilise the national currency. Immediately it is in the bank it has its national value in its prompt -utility in hacking the country’s credit. With the adverse exchange rate, no other commodity has the same ready use. If it is a matter of sending away produce, to secure the cash in advance calls for heavy discounts, and that is a hiss to the producer and to the country. With gold there is the immediate sterling value for the good of the country. With such nil advantage it seems all important that more men should he encouraged to return to goldmining. The Tummolovniont Board is making a feeble start by offering some fo.'OO'O to subsidise mining operations amo'g unemployed. Tt will he useful as f’■!• as it goes, and the return in gold will be of particular value to the country, but in the nrmv of unemployed there are so few familiar with proper gold mining operations, and the waste and loss in such instances tends to discount the good intentions of the promoters. Other schemes Icive been promulgated in both. the \orth and South Island, while in the Mines Department- with its staff ready at hand, there are surelv the means at hand to undertake, a definite scheme which will he of real vdno. There is also the proposal to subsidise gold production hv bonus, and that would he preferable to the present, total inaeti\ity. If men can be induced to go out a nd seek for the treasure, those of experience will win their reward. New Zealand is so highly mineralised that

in regard lo gold mining nil tilings nrc possible*. A fresh discovery or nil increased gold yield will give a tillip to the industry, and the result will assist the economic position of the country very greatly. With Parliament in sessicu the:e is a golden opportunity to ventilate the matter, and as the House has its Mines Committee 1 . those with expert knowledge oil that Committee eould surely tie, something to stir the Minors Department into positive action with regard to a matter which is of far reaching effect to the fortunes of New Zealand at the present time.