MINING IN SIAM

Press, Volume LXXXVI, Issue 26220, 18 September 1950, Page 8

MINING IN SIAM

“WONDERFUL LAND

OF OPPORTUNITY” FORMER CHRISTCHURCH MAN’S IMPRESSIONS (New Zealand Press Association) AUCKLAND. September 16. The present world tension has greatly boosted the Far Eastern tin industry, said a New Zealand tin dredge-master from Siam, Mr Leo Garmonsway, formerly of Christchurch, who arrived in Auckland by flyingboat to-day. However, he said, European tin dredging engineers were nard to find in the Far East and more were needed. Siam was fortunate in laving less internal political and ocial trouble than neighbouring French Indo-China and Malaya. •‘there is a wonderful land of opportunity awaiting trained miners and dredgemen in Siam.” Mr Garmonsway said. He did not know why more New Zealanders had not gone there. ‘Those who go would have to be prepared to rough it. but they would find good money and it would be a wonderful experience. “The, Siamese are peaceful, polite, and pleasant to work with,” he said. "They are not unlike the Maori in appearance and very different from the Chinese who seem to have taken control of Siam’s business life.”

The Siamese were pro-American and for the United Nations in their government and outlook, Mr Garmonsway said. The Russians had a large consulate with hundreds on the staff in the capital, Bangkok, but there had been little serious trouble caused by Communists.