MINING PROBLEM.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1620, 11 December 1912, Page 3

MINING PROBLEM.

THE REPLACING OF THE SOIL. Among tho many matters brought before the Hon. W. Eraser at Lawrence, one of the most important (says the Christchurch "Star") was contained in a series of requests by the Miners' Association. They represented that general compulsion returning surface soil to worked areas would be impracticable, and would impose a severe if not_disastrons tax on tho mining industry. . They suggested that if legislation were proposed tho matter should bo left to the discretion ■of the warden. Mr. Fraser's reply was pretty straight to the point. Ho said that all must recognise that mining would not last for ever, while the use of the land was a thing that would last for over. Therefore this matter of putting, back the surface soil was ono that would have to be most carefully dealt with by whoever was directing- the- destinies of the country. There wero numerous places where land being used for .mining purposes was not likely to be used for agriculture, but where there wero alluvial flats, even the miners themselves must recognise that it could not 1m to the interest of the community that the whole of the soil from which wealth could be derived for all lime should be sent flowing down to the ocean. (Applause.) In . replying -to another request that all auriferous Crown lands in mining area.? should be rigidly reserved for mining purposes, the Minister said that he did not think the Crown should part with land which had been proved auriferous, but should hold it, so that it could be available to anyone for mining purposes.