MINISTER OF MINES

Hokitika Guardian, 25 May 1932, Page 2

MINISTER OF MINES

SHORT VISIT TO HOKITIKA. SEVERAL DEPUTATIONS RECEIVED. MATTERS OF IMPORT TO COUNTY. ■Matters of vital importance to the future welfare of South Westland were freely voiced last evening when a representative; attendance of local public bodies and residents of the district gathered in the County Chambers to welcome to Hokitika the Minister of Mine's (the Hon. C. E. MacMillan), upon his first official visit to the county. Several deputations were received, their business concisely put-, and an attentive, and, at times, openly sympathetic hearing accorded. | With the Minister were the Under Secretary for Mines (Mr A. H. Kimball) and Mr J. O’Brien, M.P. j Mr M. Keenan > who presided as County Chairman, expressed pleasure at seeing so many of the public present to join in tile welcome to the Hon. Minister who was making his first visit to the South Islnad, and honoured Westland in so doing. He hoped the Minister Would have a pleasant tour, and leave with a better knowledge of W'estland. He 6xpressed tile hope also that the Minister would give a patient and favourable heading to the requests of the deputations.

:Mr O’Brien, M.P., joined in the words of welcome, whose visit he appreciated greatly. He tihought they were highly favoured by the Minister who was spending a week in the electorate. Westland was fortunate in having a full week with the Minister, and he hoped the visit would be a profitable one. They were glad to have a Minister of the Crown with them. Mr Macmillan, he was sure would give their wants a patient hearing, and they could hope for some .improvement as time went on. There was- room for ' great development, in Westland, and lie wa? glad to enlist the good- office.?, of the Hon. Minister to* that end. .Mr .O’Bri'fi concluded with a, cordial welcome to this part of the electorate. s The Mayor (Mr. G. A. Perry), extending a welcome on behalf of the Borough,, said that he understood that they must not ask for too much. The Minister would : find that this, part" of the country was more advanced and contained ' more promise ■' than.: people would think, while mining at present was receiving a.distinct, stimulus. He hoped the 'Minister’s - visit would be pleasant from every, aspect.. Mr J. A. Murdoch, on behalf of the County Council, had much -pleasure in' joining with Messrs Keenan , atld O’Brjen and the Mayor in extending a hearty, welcome to their - guest, and had great pier.jure in reading of the Minister’s - eib.scii at Gmnouth, espctiaUy hip reference to the Into Jit, Hon. B. J. Saddon. He said that there would be nothing: of an acrimon- ; ions nature in their discussions that evening, and asked Mr Macmillan to accept any suggestions in the manner in which they were made, as the representative of . the Government. “The. Government, has a difficult task ahead of it. You- have met a blizzard unprecedented in ..the world, and we are, watching you to meet the situation. We have watched the steps taken so far and feed sure that it will see the country through. These are not merely empty platitudes. This is known as “God’s Own Country,” (so named by the late Mr Seddon himself, and the appelation has - been properly applied.” He assured the Minister that in bringing various matters before bis attention,, they did. So to improve the position from an economical point of view, as taxpayers whom the Government represented. He congratulated him upon th c position he held, and for choosing Westland for his first official visit. In replying, the Minister expressed pleasure at benjtg . present. It was apparent that-tpat present, owing to world depression, every government had got its own problems, which were never anticipated, and extremely difficult to get over. He assured his audience that, frem what he had seen, this. Country could get over them, but they needed the assistance of the people more than ever while they were up against it, and they wanted them to stand up to it.

Continuing, he said that certain adjustments could be made, and that remedies would be applied to ease the burden. Each district had its own troubles, and iT' was Ids duty as the •representative of the Government to hear them, and it was their privilege to voice them, although he might not always agree therein. He was agreeably surprised with the West Coast, and would definitely say that there was good agricultural land here, although lie had been under the impression that the land was not of good quality, and as Minister of Agriculture he was more than pleased. There was still room for more production, and, no doubt, the people would improve the district. The system of dredging and gold mining in this locality wav? a revelation, and would he surprising to these in the North Island and others unversed in mining. This revival of interest was bound to bring other mutters in its wake. His duty was to View these ' matters, weigh them in the scales of justice, and see fair play. He was prepared to endorse the fact that the system of dredging by mechanical moaris was oiie that shuld lead to considerable profit in the district. He would give his whole attention, he concluded, to any matters before him, and hoped to get inside any differences, alid reach a fair decision. | He assured them that if they enjoyed his visit as much as be wms, then they would part mutual friends.

Charges fcr Mining Privilege,

The first. deputation was by Mr J. A, Murdoch, who urged the necessity, for reducing the charges for mining privileges to encourage more development. This matter, he said, was vital’y affecting the individual miner more than the large companies. The position had been placed before previous Ministers, and Mr O’Brien was familiar with the argument, and had supported the claims of individual miners for reduced court fees and charges. The imposition was a real deterrent to mining, which was the paramount industry here to-day. Mining fees had been imposed by. Orderin Council not by statute. The reference made to Mr Seddon was applicable in. this matter as he was Minister of' Mines when the Mining Act was passed in 1881. I Mr Murdoch pointed out the position of the minor who desired to go into the backblocks to engage in prospecting. Very often it was a returned soldier, of limited means,. who did not want', to' stand at the street corners and shout, for the dole, but who had the spirit 'of the pioneer. and wanted' to help'h'imself, and who was unable; owing to the exorbitant preliminary j expense. The speaker gave in detail a comprehensive comparison of the! expenses, which must be met to-day as against those in the days when the 'Act. .was passed.- To-day a miner was required to pay the large sum of £ll Is for his right', extended claim, tailing site and.tail race, head race, dam and branch race, while in the did days the total cost, was only 20s. , To-day, a young man,, to secure himself adequately under the Act, lias to pay £ll Is. Where was he going ‘to find it, with his limited capital? He would have nothing' left for food, tools, ‘ and'other accessories, and the result was that lie was driven back into the town asking for further assistance. "Mr Murdoch then outlincy the process under which the miner applied for and received his priye’ege,' It might be said that this sum is , only a small fee, but it is an obstacle, and prevents, the miner from becoming a hardy, independent worker. “There is no use in the Department saying that it is trying to help when , it- is' .taking; up this attitude,” lie added.;,. . . | He asked the Minister to go into the matter thoroughly, it being a hardship aiid'an inconsistency. Many men were thus faced to-day. Where was the reason and necessity of sending applications to Wellington for sanction by somebody who had never seen the locality, and when it could be attended to by the Warden? Because the gold duty was unjust, it was ibolislied, and it was claimed to-day :hat these charges were a direct departure to. the principle laid down, iy Mr Seddon, and could be removed jy. the consent of the Minister. He vas not urging a reduction to the fig companies. If a reduction were nade to the miner, it would do a ;reat deal in the matter of unemiloyment. Any important finds would ie made by the individual prospector,

and there was no doubt that there wag still plenty of gold to be found here yet. “I am putting this as strongly as I can and hope you will take it in good spirit. Mr Newman asked how could the man receiving an unemployment subsidy' possibly find this sum. He was beaten beforehand. These expenses were only red tape waste. He considered that the miner’s right should protect him until he had something reliable to go on.

Mr O’Brien said that this matter 'had been brought before the notice of the previous Minister, Mr D. Jones, even before they had the number of unemployed they had to-day who could not pay. “1 will say here, as I said at Kumara, that the miner who goes out and cannot afford a miner’s right should be protected. Every ' means should be made to beep the men working.” As one who lias Advocated sending the men out, I want to see the charges reduced. The syndicate and company promoter can afford them. Let the charges be suspended until the corner is turned. I feel very strongly on this matter, and I bate to see a man unemployed when he has a chance of turning his hand to something. The Minister sajd he could not put through an Order-in-Council for a reduction in the charges without the sanction of the Government. He endorsed everything that had been said about the difficulties and assured his. audience that he would consider, the pros and cons of the case, and if the fees could be reduced he would do what he could in the matter. He was pleased with the manner in which the TJnompYiment Board whs assisting, pud said that it was possible that they might get even greater assistance than in tlie past.

Frontages fcr Sea-beach Claims

, Lteging the reduction of frontages for ordinary sea-bea&i mining claims, Cr. J. Donovan said that the ordinary claim was for a frontage of 200 feet, and this was quite sufficient, but an applicant, if there was no objection lodged, could get a mile, subject to the Minister’s consent. It was impossible for any man to work more than, 200 ft. in one tide, and he had seen thousands of pounds go into the sea simply because it wag impossible to work it. Owing to the depression, men, honest, straigffit-JorWard, hardworking, and out of a job through no fault of their own, were coming here from all parts of Now Zealand, hut the difficulty was that those owning mile claims could not work them, and would not allow others to do so. He asked that the law be altered, that mile claims he refused. Mr W. P. Boyd also spoke on the subject. The Minister : I might tell you that I have now discontinued granting big claims, of my own initiative.

Ihipftjv&hiflnts to Okarito Harbour.

Or,. Donovan also brought up the question of affecting repairs to Okarito ! Harbour, saying that it was a matter of the greatest importance to South Westland. In years past Mr Seddon had been urged to do so, and, seeing the possibility of the district -and the necessity for improvements, recommended a survey, which was not completed until after his death. The matter had since been pressed, but nothing definite had been done. Mr Coates had said to Mr O’Brien that the matter was not so pressing now owing to the- timber slump. In that connection he was quite astray, and was not conversant to what is going on in the district. One mining syndicate, holding 3000 acres, and which had spent thousands of pounds,' said that they would put in a dredge as big as that at Rimu if the harbour were im-

proved. j The Minister: What improvements are contemplated ? ■ Cr. Donovan said that it was intended to confine the channel and have deep water out to sea. The channel : had recntly broken out >so that the work could now be carried out in a manner less difficult and less costly. | Mr O’Brien said that this district had wonderful potentialities. Regarding the timber, there were two billion feet of timber which could be tapped, including some of tile finest in New Zealand. He explained what had been done in the matter of considering improvements in the past. The Minister isaid that it was really a matter for the Minister of Marine, hut lie would look into the matter, i However, millions of pounds had been j thrown into the sea in the matter of harbour expenditure, even noting upon eynert advice. The sea was such an almighty force than one did not know what was going to happen next. He would refer the matter to the Minister of Marine-

Bridge at Three Mile Creek

A request to the Minister to recommend the erection of the 'l'luve Mde Cre:k bridge, at pre-ent awaiting head office authority, was made by Do”ovau, who said that the Creek was very awkward and dangerous, and that an application had been some time ago.

'c', o Min. You know 'that grants have been withdrawn? However, ui v.vw of the remark > 1 will place the matter before t-h"* Minister of Public Works and ask him to give his consent to the restoration of the grant in Chi- case. Tie considered to trial it as a a urgent mat 1 or.

Cage at Upper Mikonui

(Jr. Donovan again appeared in support of an application lor a grant of £3O for a cage across the Upper M'iko--11 iti river to afford transport lor prospectors. II said tha|: miners were

finding it difficult to cross the river when the river was, in flood. The Minister: Again the question of grants. Not only have we no money, [but we owe money. The matter will be gone .'into seriously and I wi’l try to get the cage as soon as possible.

Art Union to Aid Prospecting

A deputation from the Hokitika District Prospecting Association waited on the Minister, the. delegates being Messrs A. H. Lawn, T. R. Che terman, J. JMclntosh and N. AVarren.

Mr Warren said that he was glad that the Minister recognised the potential value of gold. The Association had been formed to assist men to go out on approved areas, and had bee*.assisted ‘by the town people to the extent of about - £IOO. Men had been sent to areas vhi oh had been approved oi' by the Department, but its funds were now nearing an end. They had ashed for a £2 for £1 subs : dy, and inter a £1 for £1 subsidy but these had been refused. 1 hen they had > a vague pvomi e from the previous Minister Mr Jones, to ass’st, hut Fate had ruled him out of the picture, and now they h°d the present Alinistei. j'T'hci Association urgently needed assistance, and the Government might wen help thorn to help themse-lve". iHe urged the Minister to recommend to the Minister of Internal Affairs that their application for atf art union be given a favourable place Oil the list for granting. He did not think there had been an art union of such national importance before, and was sure that the people of the Mest Coast alone would make a success of the appeal. Mr T. OR. Chesterman endorsed the previous speaker’s remarks, and said that the reason why the art union had been suggested was because the funds were «o low. There was no u-e wasting time attending meetings when they could not give any aid. There was a large area between Lake Malhinapua and Deep Creek, adjoining Ross Road, also an area on the east side of the Ross Road from Seddon's Terrace to the boundary of Butler’s -freehold. The-e had never,, been prospected because. the individual miner cou'd not -afford it, and the Association could not help. He sa'id that the Department was sending a man down' to report 'on. the district. “You find the money and we’ll'go on with the work,” he concluded. - Mr Mclntosh that the Association consisted of practical miners who had grown up in the district, and unless •it assistance ft -could not carry 0n... If permission were granted for an art union valuable work would be done. Work could be done by the unemployed with an experienced man to supervise.' s , Mr Lawn said that there- was no need to traverse the ground again, but the whole question seemed to evolve itself into the matter of an art union. The question of mining should have pre'-eminence.

Mr -"dwinan also spoke on the subject. .

' ■ The' Minister -said that the Department would require a lot of detail as to the administration', of the- fund, for it was the duty of the Government to know exactly what was intended in the matter. If such particulars were forthcoming, he would use- his 'influence. 'The next art union was to raise funds for about nineteen or twenty objects, SO per cent.- f going to the -Returned -Soldiers’ Association, and the remainder being divided among the others. Personally he did not approve of artunions, but he would recommend that assistance be given. He said that with the assistance of the Unemployment Board the Department was prepared to place a group of 30 or 40 men in charge of a supervisor on . approved areas. The Department was always willing to assist wherever possible, and if th:y j could find the group the Department j would find the supervisor as long as | the Board found tho money. The D-e- j partment was- availing itself of every j opportunity of drawing on it to aid mining.

Unemployment Committee Deputation

The last deputation of the evening ivas from the Hokitika Unemployment Committee, which was represented by 1 the Mayor (Mr Perry), who stated that, j at the last meeting of the Committee jit was decided that: In regard to J the gold mining subsidy, this Committee ask the Unemployment Beard to j abolish the separate allocation for go.d I mining under the No. o Scheme,- aim to allow the workers in approved cases to work their time under tnat Scheme | in their gold mining claims, and that j the Executive Committee- place- tins resolution before the Minister of Mines. Tile Mayor said the matter really was not altogether in the Minister’s province, but that gentleman might use his influence, as it was a matter of vital importance. The subsidy for gold mining encroached on the a 1 lecation under the No. 5 Scheme, and, if the unemployed were able- to work on their claims, it would be to the benefit of the men and the country as a whole. It would give the men something to work-lor besides establishing his independence. He quoted statistics regarding the amount of gold produced and the activities o. the Committee, and urged the Minister to use his influence in tiic matter.

Mr O’Brien voiced bis sympathy with this deputation. Even though the returns were not so great, it meant that money Was coming into the district in ret urn for the geld won. He was one of the movers in getting the mm to we-"k in the goldfields, a ml considered it would lie far hotter to have them on some useful kind of work. This district produced a lot of gold and men were working everywhere, putting forth tremendous efforts to get sufficient of flic precious metal to keep (hem going. What. I ho Westland m n wanted was a chance, and they could

not get a. better workman than he. It was better to put their best foot forward in this respect than to have the men hanging round the- town. Where there were Mining Associations formed, there were practical men only too willing to give sound, welcome, advice. In these times it was far better to have sound, practical advisers than men whose knowledge was merely theoretical.

The Minister: Not necessarily. Tf we educate cur boys we should give them n chaine to earn a livelihood otherwise it would ho a direct centrevention to cur cry of “give a University education !” - Mr O’Brien explained that his. statement meant that it was mere advisable to have advice on certain localit’es from practical men who were hern in the district and knew all that was to ho known, than from men whose knowledge of t - district was small, and whose qualifications were the result oi theoretical study. Air O’Brien thanked the Minister for his kind attention to the matters placed before him by the deputations, thanks also being added by the chairman. At the conclusion of the meeting Hon. Air Macmillan met the deputations from the Prospecting Association, and the Unetnrlovment Ommittee in a general ronnd-the-tahle discussion. The Ministerial party left for the south early this morning travelling to Ross, and thence to Okarito where several deputations were received. After two days in the Southern Riding they will return north passing through Hokitika on Friday.