GERMAN MINE-OWNERS IN N.Z.

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 18626, 26 February 1926, Page 17

GERMAN MINE-OWNERS IN N.Z.

TO TUB EDITOE OF "XHB F2CSS." . —lt is reported in our northern papers, in connection with the entry of Germans into the mining industry in New Zealand, that Mr W. J. Jenkin ''considered it was an insult, and that the Association should protest. It was not right that an organisation should come into New Zealand and take the Dominion gold, etc., away without spending any money in the Dominion; nor was it right that an enemy should take New Zealand's raw materials. The association should protest to the Government for allowing the concern to have a license." I know the Thames mining area fairly well, and have an intimato knowledge of the Coromandel mining field, 40 miles north of Thames, where I lived eight years, and was managing director of a splendid little gold mine which was ruined by a protracted coal strike. For years I studied the geology of the Hauraki Peninsula in regard to mining, and have in my not© books valuable references to the mines the Germans are said to want, X have, however, no interest, in the said mines, either directly or indirectly, and never have had, so that I can write impartially and my views ought to carry some weight. Mr Jonkin may be right in objecting to the Germans, as Germans— each person can decide this question for himself, as it is quite apart from mining; but, the rest of his reported remarks, show him to be in total ignorance of the subject. Intermittent attempts have been made to work the mines in question for quite half a century. The first attempts were fairly successful owing to the outcrop ore carrying free gold; but success was shortlived, for the complex sulphide oreß were quickly reached, and from that day to this it has been impossible to make the mines pay. That the mines contain large quantities of complex ore, is beyond doubt, but there arc insufficient facilities in New Zealand, both for treatment and disposal of the products, so that if the Germans are barred it will mean the mines will remain idle and might just as well be nonexistent. Where is the sense in this? It has been • proved conclusively they cannot be worked successfully under New Zealand auspices, so why not let the Germans have a try? They are not coming in to take the Dominion gold in the easy way one would gather from Mr Jenkin's reported remarks. And they are going to take away our gold without spending any money! Wonderful people! I have heard a good deal about German industrial efficiency, but nothing to equal this. Doesn't it co3t a lot of money to win ore from .1 mine? And after winning it, does Mr Jenkin suppose they are going to ship tons of crude ore to Germany, when each ton might average 30s to £•" worth of gold, and a few per cent, of lead, zinc, or eopper? No, the Germans will have to crush and concentrate their ore on the spot. Their advantage will come in the fact that all the contents of the concentrates will bo valuable in Germany—and this country will make an excellent bargain by allowing them' this advantage if tboy will only get, to work and continue working. They will have to spend as much money in mining and treatment hero as any other people would, including New Zealanders. One trouble in New Zealand is, that all lato Governments have been obsessed with the needs of the farmer. The amount of complex' ore produced in New Zealand has been practically nil, and the metal mining industry to-day is almost extinct. Yet there are large quantities of complex ore hero, but thoso engaged in the mining industry havo long since despaired of working it under present conditions. At present it is a ca3o of letting the Germans have a try or leave it where it is.—Yours, etc., T. A. BLACK, B.Se. Kamo road, Whangarei.