KAURI GUM CONTROL

Dominion, Volume 20, Issue 16, 14 October 1926, Page 8

KAURI GUM CONTROL

effect to be given to ACT Dominion Special. Auckland, October 13. A denial of an assertion that no steps were being taken by tlie Government to give effect to the provisions of the Kauri Gum Control Act, 1925, was made to-dav by tlie Hon. A D. McLeod (Minister of Industries and Commerce). The Minister said that steps were being taken to abide by the terms of the Act “It is expected that tlie Kauri Gum Control Board, consisting of five members, will be appointed toward the end of December,” be said. “One of the first duties of the board, doubtless, will be to fix a charge to be levied on kauri gum exported from New Zealand. "■ This charge, as provided by the Kauri Gum Control Regulations cannot exceed 14 per cent of the value of the gum exported.” The board was to be composed of two Government representatives, two producers’ repre seiWatives, and one member representing the exporters. In connction with producers’ representatives nominations had been invited for candidates from the two kauri gum electoral dis tricts recently constituted, and an announcement would probably be made on December 16 concerning the result of the election. Steps were being taken to choose two Government members and the exporters’ representative Questioned concerning the prospects of the trade, which has experienced a serious slump during the past year, the Minister said it was to be regretted that the market had remained so low, as, apart from other considers tions, the state of the industry was tending to exaggerate the unemployment position.