THE KAURI CUM INDUSTRY.

Gisborne Times, Volume XLVII, Issue 4275, 26 June 1916, Page 5

THE KAURI CUM INDUSTRY.

SEGREGATION OF SINGLE UNNATURALISED AUSTRIANS.

FUTILE PROTEST TO THE PRIME

AIINISTEII

(P ress Association Telegram.) WELLINGTON, June 24

A deputation representing gum merchants waited on the Prime Minister to-day to protest against the Government's decision to segregate single unnaturalised Dalmatian and Croatin guindiggers on what is known as Parengarenga gumfield. Air Montague, in placing the merchants’ arguments before Air Massey, urged, that the proposed action of Government would be an injustice to a body of men who had mostly been proved loyal and would also mean a very serious blow to the gum industry. He declared that Parcngarenga field produced mostly only block gum of inferior quality which, if over produced, would result in a heavy fall in the price of such gum and increases in the juice of white gums. As to all manner of wild rumors spread about concerning these men lie contended they were absolutely without foundation. There were 2000 or 2500 of thorn altogether and their loyalty to the cause of the Allies had been demonstrated in many ways, among others, by the collection of over £6OOO for the Patriotic Funds. Air Massey, in reply, said it was unfortunate that the importance of the gum industry was not understood outside the Auckland Province. People did not realise that for the last thirty years the export of gum from Auckland averaged not less than half-a-mil-lion sterling yearly. The Government, did not want to interfere with this industry any more than was possible. Hut the position was that for some months past all sorts of rumors had been going round the country respecting the loyalty and the menace of these so-called Austrians. It had been said that bodies of them had been seen drilling in a number of places, that they had largo quantities of arms concealed; and even that they were waiting for the signal to revolt. The Government had been approached by people from all over the Dominion demanding that steps bo taken to protect the British settlers in the North of Auckland Peninsula and it had been especially urged that the menace was greater owing to the large numbers of young men who had gone to the war from the North of Auckland, with the result that the people left behind were at the merer of men intensely hostile t«;> Britain." Knowing these Dalmatains himself he had little- concern about their lovaltv, but sometime ago lie asked the" three North Auckland members to form a committee to advise him from time to time respecting the situation in the North. The police were also instructed to take possession of all arms held by the alien enemy guindiggers and the result was that "a few guns and revolvers were found but nothing of any consequence. Although he was satisfied that the bulk of' these men were loyal there was a small minority who were doubtful, and the Government had, therefore, decided that unnaturalised unmarried alien diggers should be removed nortli of a certain line were there was no settlement. That was to say they would have to follow their occupation in Parcngarenga gumfield. Naturalised and married men would not be interfered with. These guindiggers would have the right to sell their gum wherever and to whom they Weed. There was to be no monopoly of any sort and they would merely pay the same royalty' being paid at present. The onlv condition was that they would star north of an imaginary until the war came to an end. IhGovernment had to regard public welTare and public safety and to allay public anxietr as far as possible, bim was not going to do anv more than A could help to seriously interfere with the gum industry.