VISIT TO MINES.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 307, 28 December 1935, Page 12

VISIT TO MINES.

MINISTER'S INTENTION.

"INDUSTRY NEGLECTED."

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.)

DUNEDIN, this day.

It is the intention of the Minister of Mines, the Hon. P. C. Webb, to visit all the mining centres in New Zealand before Parliament meets, probably toward the end of February. Interviewed this morning by telephone at Waikouaiti, where he. is spending a short holiday, the Minister said it was the intention of the Government to put mining where it should be. '

"Some of us, I for one," he said, "think that mining has been neglected, and it is our intention to place it in a position in accordance with its importance to the Dominion." He would leave Wellington about January 9 or 10 for Nelson, after ' which he would make a thorough tour of the West Coast. Immediately afterwards he would either come to Otago or go to the Thames district.

It was his intention, however, to visit all the mining centres of the Dominion before the opening of Parliament, with the object of gaining first-hand information concerning the problems confronting miners to-day, and of stimulating the industry. He also wished to find out what amendments were necessary to the Mining Act and the Coal Mines Act.

"I also intend, as soon as possible," the Minister added, "to visit certain oil-bearing areas in the Dominion."

Asked if he thought there was a possibility of oil being produced in New Zealand in payable quantities, Mr. Webb said many optimistic representations had been made to him on the subject. In the meantime, however, all he could hope to do was to make investigations to ascertain the exact position. If it were found that oil could be produced as an economic proposition assistance would be given.