SEARCH FOR GOLD

Dominion, Volume 24, Issue 292, 5 September 1931, Page 6

SEARCH FOR GOLD

Unemployed in Australia OLD CAMPS REVISITED Streams that used to be flecked lavishly with gold, old centres and camps conspicuous with their scars of old-time mining operations, are calling men from the cities of Victoria to prospect for gold. Scattered over the vast State thousands of men are fossicking, driven by necessity from the cities which have let them down in their struggle for employment. It is a strange phenomenon. Men of all trades and professions, from sailors to professors, from clerks to labourers, have gone out into old scenes of industry and vanished wealth to pick up crumbs which the diggers of other days might have overlooked, and hoping to “strike it rich.” They have pitched their tents all over Victoria. Even within ten miles of Melbourne, I have seen groups of men on the banks of the streams with their pans, delving and sieving from dawn to sundown, writes an Australian journalist. Australia needs gold as it never has done in its history. All the present-day gold seekers are unemployed. They have been assisted by the State, which provides them with tools, equipment, and rations. Every party is led by an experienced miner. But the men who have never mined before predominate in this army, of gold-seekers scattered over Victoria. Very few have given up the hunt, although the work is back-aching and heart-breakinsr. They are men who have never been idle in their lives, men who are glad to do something to help themselves. It is the spirit which is going to bring Australia through her difficulties. At any rate, there is something to show for the pluck of these fossickers. grocers, counter-hands, and clerks. The output of gold in Victoria for the first quarter of this year was nearly 9000 ounces, doubling the previous yield. At the present rate of exchange this is valued at £43,000.