GOLD PRODUCTION IN 1916

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 1710, 10 May 1917, Page 4

GOLD PRODUCTION IN 1916

The Statist gives some interesting estimates of the world’s gold production in 1910, together with calculations of the total output since the great extensions of goldmining which started in the middle of the 'ltfiii century. Mr Babson lias added, moreover, a statistical chart which presents the progress made in a usefully graphic form. The total gold production for 1910 is estimated by him at a value of £95,725,009, a figure only thrice exceeded previously —in 1911 with £07,274.000, in 1912 with £00,077,000, and in 1015 with £07,700,000. Towards (bis total British Africa is estimated to have contributed £44,990,000, Australasia .£8,842,000, India £2,300,000, and Canada £4,050,000, the aggregate from the British Empire being .£00,188,000. The United States production is put at £19,037,000, that of Russia at £O,000,000, and of Mexico at £2,500,000, “other countries” making up the balance of £8,000,000. Thus it will be seen that nearly two-thirds of the world’s output came from the British Empire. In both the Transvaal (£30,500,00(1) and Rhodesia (.£3,890,000) there was a “record” production in 191(1,

Mr Malison’s survey of (he grand aggregates of British and American gold production since tlie earliest Californian and Australian discoveries in 1847-51 yields some very impressive figures. As lie reminds ns, a century ago (he world’s annual gold output bad only averaged about £1,500,000, but tbe opening up of new fields has completely transformed tbe situation. Up to and including 1910 Australasia, since 1851, has produced gold to (he value of £057,500,000 —Victoria having contributed £297,033,000; West Australia, £129,759,000; Queensland, £81.254,000; New South Wales, £01,444,000; and Now Zeuliipd, £70,710,000. Africa, since 1884, has yielded £507,500,000 the Iransvaal alone contributing £513,854.781. With £65,000,000 from Canada since the mid-eigh-ties, and £50,000,00 from India, the grand aggregate for the British Em-

the United States gold production since 1847-8 the grand aggregate is £779,000,000. These figures in addition to those for the present annual production, and to the fact' that since 1850 it has increased from seven to ninety-six millions, show how preponderating^ 7 the world’s gold output and the goldmining industry have rested and still remain in the hands and under the control of the English-speaking people.