GUM INDUSTRY

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 300, 19 September 1928, Page 10

GUM INDUSTRY

CONFIDENCE IN FUTURE RESOURCES YET UNTAPPED Optimism regarding the future of the gum industry and complete confidence in the Kauri Gum Control Board was expressed by the Minister of Lands (Hon. A. D. McLeod) in the House of Representatives yesterday. Stating that the Government looked upon the industry as being worth saving, the Minister observed that there were many mil lion pounds’ worth of gum yet untapped in the North Auckland Peninsula. The Minister said that while be remained in the House he would always stand up for the control of industry by private enterprise as against any control by the State or by those not directly interested in the industry., Strong efforts had been made to interfere with the activities of the Kauri Gum Control Board. The Government looked upon the gum industry as worth saving. The board was endeavouring to find some better means of preparing the low grade gums so that they might be placed on the world's markets and command favourable prices. He appealed to the gum diggers, the buyers, and the people generally to assist the industry in any way they could, as be was quite sure that it would be of enormous value to New Zealand in the future.

“I believe,” continued the Minister, "that if the board ean concentrate successfully on the handling of the lowgrade gums that they will be performing a useful service to the industry, and, indeed, to the whole of the North Auckland peninsula. It is well known to those investigating the matter that there are still many million pounds' worth of gum in those districts. It is too soon to say that the board lias failed. I have every confidence in the chairman. He is not an extremist in any way: lie is carefully watching the industry, not for the benefit of a few individuals, but for the benefit of a great number of people who are interested in it both directly and indirectly-”