SEARCH OF OIL

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 2, 2 July 1926, Page 10

SEARCH OF OIL

SIMPLIFYING LEGAL PROCEDURE,

A consolidation of the Mining Act was introduced by Governor-General's Message into the House of Representai tives yesterday, and it was stated that it would later contain a provision dealing with oil-bearing country. ,In answer to the Leader of the Opposition (Mr. Holland), the Prime Minister stated that the Minister of Mines intended later to bring in several amendments of the mining law. One of these would have reference to oil-bear-ing country. The new clauses would be put into the Bill in Committee. Mr. T. E. Y. Seddon (Westland) asked whether the Bill contained: any reference to sawmilling licenses on the West Coast. Mr. Coates replied that that would be dealt with under separate legislation. The former provisions with reference to licenses were still in the Bill. The Right Hon. Sir Joseph Ward (Invercargill). asked whether the clauses dealing with oil-bearing lands were being asked for by any corporation or interests outside New Zealand, and, if so ? by whom? The Prime Minister replied that quite a lot of difficulty had been experienced in regard to getting oil rights, the present procedure being very cumbersome and expensive. It was proposed to simplify the position with respect to land and titles so that the occupiers of land, if necessary, cou\d give the Government the .right to act for them and make simple contracts with regard to ,any particular area. The question of compensation was involved. It was pi-oposod to provide facilities making for the easier exploitation of areas. Sir Joseph Ward: "With the consent of the people?" The Prime Minister replied in the affirm: t ive.