GOLD DREDGING

Grey River Argus, 27 November 1942, Page 3

GOLD DREDGING

SHORTAGE OF EQUIPMENT. The gold-dredging industry on the West Coast is in a serious position owing to the shortage of heavy spare parts. The difficulty has largely arisen from the refusal of the Australian Government to grant export licenses for this equipment. It is understood that the Government is considering the matter and that representations to the Prime Minister are being made by the l Hon. P. C. Webb, who looked into the position during his last visit to the Coast. Applications have to receive the support of the New Zealand Ministry of Supply before they will be favourably entertained by the Australian Government. There is also considerable difficulty in obtaining materials from America. Licenses have been held up and orders made as early as last May have not been delivered yet. Goods from America are for the most part being purchased outright, but the iease-lend plan has been put .into operation, and wire ropes have been imported into the Dominion under this scheme. Up till the present the use of welding has enabled repairs to be carried out which have offset the lack of spare parts from overseas. The problem of getting the necessary welding materials has, however, now arsen, and unless they can be obtained the work cannot be carried on. A certain amount of material has been received from overseas, but there is a serious shortage of dredge buckets. These cannot be manufactured in New Zealand. In common with other industries gold-dredging is suffering from the rubber shortage. Stacker-belts are badly needed, lhe industry, moreover, has not been declared essential and there is no allowance of motor-tyres.