THE KAIPARA AND WAITEMATA ECHO WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED "THE KAIPARA ADVERTISER & WAITEMATA CHRONICLE." HELENSVILLE, THURSDAY, July 6, 1916 THE ALIEN GUMDIGGER QUESTION. IN FRONT AGAIN.

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 6 July 1916, Page 2

THE KAIPARA AND WAITEMATA ECHO WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED "THE KAIPARA ADVERTISER & WAITEMATA CHRONICLE." HELENSVILLE, THURSDAY, July 6, 1916 THE ALIEN GUMDIGGER QUESTION. IN FRONT AGAIN.

IN our previous leader upon the all-important subject of interning the Austrian gum-digger away up at the North Cape, we opined, on quoting Hon. Mr Massey's then final statement, that "we scarcely think this is the end of the subject." The Premier had replied to a deputation, " that the Government had given all unnaturalised single alien gumdiggers to understand that they would have to move northward of a certain line where there was very little settlement; in other words, go to the Parenga district. Married and naturalised men would not be interfered with. The men would be allowed to dig gum on payment of the same royalty as paid by diggers now at Parenga." —Very good.

It is quite conclusive that the above is " not " the end of the subject, as a number of the interested business people of Dargaville have, since Mr Massey gave his reply, almost gone off their equilibrium, in fact, taken a fit, lest their occupation be gone, and the Parenga Company reap all the benefits of a gum monopoly^ notwithstanding the fact that Mr Massey has replied to Mr A. E. Harding's bouncible telegrams that there shall be no monopoly, and every digger shall be allowed to sell his gum to whom he pleases. But heaven has been appealed to by Mr Harding, and the following grams, etc., taken from our Dargaville contemporaries, will give our readers an idea of what has so far transpired by wire-pulling: —

On Wednesday Mr Harding received the following wire from Mr Montagiie,one of the leading gum merchants in Auckland :— '" Strongly urge you to come to Auckland immediately to consult gum representatives and Chamber of Commeice —also Cheeseman only storekeeper at Parenga, besides Company, strong efforts have been made to close his store, thereby securing monopoly."

Mr Harding replied: — "As position so acute and my time filled, suggest you and Chairman Chamber of Commerce come to Dargaville, the storm centre, and learn for yourselves."

s Mr Massey wired to Mr A. E. Harding: —" I have duly received your telegram of yesterday. I want you to understand that I want telegrams to me couched in courteous terms, such as a gentleman would write; otherwise they will not merit consideration."

Mr Harding replied: -" The Rt. Hon. Mr Massey, WellingtonShakespeare says: 'At such a time as this it is not meet that every nice offence should bear its comment.' The occasion demands strong words. They are being backed by vigorous action. Ignoring my wire for alleged discourtesy, where none was intended, will display weakness and increase public suspicion on the unsavoury Parenga matter. — Alfred E. Harding."

On Thursday Mr Coates wired to Mr Harding : —" Thank you for your wire. In reply can assure you that proper inquiry will be made before definite action is taken."

Mr Harding replied to Mr Coates : —" Slavonians here now got the gist of the Parenga agreement. Feeling of bitterness and resentment very acute. For heaven's sake get the Government to make a definite promise to send the Aliens'Commissicn before any Slavonians interned."

Mr Harding has freely expressed his strong indignation at the statement made by the Rt. Hon. the Prime Minister. He considered the action of Mr Massey a shuffle —an insult to himself personally, and to the Kaipara Chamber of Commerce as a representative body.