The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 18, 1933. PROSPECTING.

Hokitika Guardian, 18 January 1933, Page 4

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 18, 1933. PROSPECTING.

The local Prospecting, Association in its praiseworthy effort to develop gold mining in our district, lias been concerned chiefly in proving negatives, the members are anxious to achieve positives, and are to take the public mote into their confidence. "Unfortunately the scheme- of the Unemployment Board is too circumscribed in this district at all events to hope for any material national results. The value- of go-d now is such that the commodity would play & material' part in the country’s finance if the production could be substantially increased. Mr W. M. Tyers of Christchurch has realised the potency of a higher gold production, and is advocating a gold mining expedition for New Zealand as a menus to bring about public debt settlement. New Zealand owes roughly in public and local body debt some four hundred million, and this has to be- discharged honourably. Mr Tyers points out that the alternative of forgiveness to payment of debt- must be left to the creditor, and in no case should a debtor ask for fom-iveuess if lie can pay. The produce mainly exported is agricultural and pastoral, and though the quantity has been, increased, the values have fallen, and at the moment are likely to remain low. The production and export of -gold would be the magic charm at the present and it is with that in mind Mr Tyers advocates a well equipped expedition to search for the latent wealth. The gentleman is on the right lines and the idea he has broadcasted should not Ibe lost sight of. Westland which is highly auriferous, should set up and take notice- of the position and the prospect of realising -.at least in part, the goal set up. Here is an opportunity for the- local Prospecting Association to mo Vo. The late windfall of funds should bo earmarked for genuine prospecting ip localities approved for ■ the purpose. It would not be too much to ask the Mines Department to lend an officer to advise if not to lead the local undertaking. With expert leadership there would le a genuine try out. and it i,s to that end the prospecting project should be taken up. The Association is on the right lines in setting up a small executive-, and in conference with an officer of tire Mines Department who would have -access and knowledge of all the records and reports at bead office, there would be a. practical -start to achieve the positive results all think possible in this district. It will take time to work out the comprehensive scheme Mr Tvers has outlined for the whole Dominion, hut with certain funds in hand here already, a- commencement could he made on modest lines, and expansion, could follow as results required. Local sim-p-orb would he forthcoming also if the enterprise took the promising form possible, and ,the Association would not rrmeal in vain for further financial assistance. Gold is the- most attractive commodity in world trade at present, and its production here in greater quantity would help to minim'se the financial depression of which so much is heard. Here is the opportunity for Westland to play its port, and through the local Association a beginning towards the desired end may be readily begun.