KAURI GUM BOARD.

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 89, 16 April 1927, Page 14

KAURI GUM BOARD.

EXPORT LEVY APPROVED

At the meeting of the Kauri Gum Control Board on Thursday there were present, Messrs. M. 11. Wynyard (chairman) and J. A. Andre, Government nominees; J. Peachey (exporters' repre scntative), E. McDougall and ('. Davidson (producers' representatives).

The following report was furnished to the Press:-—A letter was received from tho Under-Secretary of Lands, who approved of the board's decision to impose a levy of 3 per cent on all gum exported for six months after May 1. The levy will be raised to 1J per cent after that period. It was pointed out that this was the board's sole means of revenue, and it wns not expected to derive more than £5000 a year from it. None of the proceeds of the levy would be available until about June, as the money was first paid into the Consolidated Fund by the Customs Department, and would have to be transferred from that account. Preliminary arrangements were made in connection with the operation of the hoard's funds.

Considerable discussion centred around the power to make advances to diggers conferred upon the board hy its con stitution. Valuers were appointed to value stocks, and certain conditions were agreed to. All advances are to be mnde upon reports received from special reoional committees on the fields, who will forward recommendations upon necessitous cases.

It was decided to nsk gum merchants to inaugurate n crading standard, in order to enable diggers to produce for sale only such gum as would meet merchants' requirements. Tho producers' representatives were authorised to investigate and report upon resources on the fields with a view to estimating the amount and value of the gum now available. Preliminary arrangements were also made for the disnosal of Government, stocks, upon which the Minister of Lands has requested tlie board to re:ilise.

The nevt m—Mug of the board will be held on Mav "R.