KAURI GUM

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 9, 1 April 1927, Page 5

KAURI GUM

ASSISTING THE PRODUCER CONTROL BOARD’S PROPOSALS After a conference lasting for two days, decisions and recommendations were arrived at yesterday afternoon by the Kauri Gum Control Board. The apparent discrepancy between the price received for gum on the fleid and the export price was the chief complaint received from diggers. Their representatives also pointed out that early relief was necessary to enable diggers to carry on. It was recognised by the board that relief could only be provided under limited control, under which the board could act as brokers, advancing part of the proceeds pending the sale of the gum. Steps are to be taPen by the board to ascertain what finance would be available for such a scheme. It was recommended to the Government that, in the interests of producers, holders of gum brokers’ licenses should not also be gum buyers. It was further recommended that the issuing of brokers’ and buyers’ licences' should be left in the hands of the board. The board agreed that there was no necessity to interfere with the export of gum at present, and that, before any action was taken in that respect, three months’ notice of its intention would be given. A request from the Minister of Agriculture, that the board should realise the Government stocks of gum, was considered, and preliminary steps in that direction were discussed. With regard to the levy for carrying out the functions of the board, it was resolved that the levy be threequarters per cent on the f.o.b. value of erum for the first six months, and 1$ per cent thereafter. It was decided that recommendations be made to the Minister accordingly. It was resolved that a further meeting be held in Auckland on April 13.