MINING

Evening Star, Issue 17118, 11 August 1919, Page 7

MINING

VICTORIAN GOLD MINING. Striking facts and figures illusfcrativ© of (he decline of tho gold mining industry in Victoria (states the 'A.Tgus') were put before the Minister for Mines (Mr Barnes) lately by a deputation representing the Chamber of Mines. The deputation was introduced by Mr Hicks, M.L.C., and included Me-Bra M'Leod, Toutoher, Ttumecli.ffe, Smith, and M'Gregor, M.L.A.s. the general manager of the Bendigo Amalgamated Gcldfields Company (Mr Moline), the president of the Mttning Managers' Association of Victoria (Mr Hams), tho Mayor of Bendigo (Or D-unstan), and Mr F. H. Bathurat (of tho Chamber of Mines).

Mr Eicke, in putting the case for State assistance said, that tho rapidity and seriousness of -the decline in the gold mining industry could be judged from the following figures: — 19151 598,231 tons; yield,. 329,0680z; value, £1,765,236 j men employed. 8,755; dividends,- £193.421. 1916: 517,387 tons; yield, 256,6430z; values 1,090,194; man employed, 6,-102; dividends, £98,550. 1917; 320,698 tons; yield, 201,8720z; value, £857,500; men employed, 6,069; dividends, £87,145. 1918: 226,227 tons; yield, 158,8270z; value, 674,655; wen employed', 3,547; dividends, £62,925. Between 1914 and 1919, Ms- Hicks added, the number of companies, apart from private members, which formed the Chamber of Mines, had fallen ft-om 130 to 50. " Tim falling-off is primarily due," Ms Hacks con tinned, "to the greatly increased coets arising from adverse economic conditions —iarraing, in other words, from the rcdneduced purchasing power of the product of the industry. Many rrtiros have already '

been compelled to shut down, snd all but a few of those remaining are in a most precarious condition. If the industry is to be preserved, assistance is certainly necessary. Without assistance it ia faced with extinction." Mr Hicks pointed) oat that the present depression might be only temporary, and that if assistance were given now the industry might yet ba of great value to the State. The plan of the Chamber of Mines, he said, vas that the State should subsidise iHi© sinking of all shafts approved by departmental ofticcrs to the orient of £5 a foot for a period of at least a year. Mr B'ames said iliat it was only too apparent that the industry waa in a deplorable condition. Be agreed that it would be wise to concentrate on shaft linking, and promised to discuss the proposals of tlie deputation with his officers and subsequently put thorn before the Cabinet.