The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is in corporated the West Coast Times. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 13, 1935. MINING INTERESTS.

Hokitika Guardian, 13 December 1935, Page 4

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is in corporated the West Coast Times. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 13, 1935. MINING INTERESTS.

The Labour Ministers are vieing with each other in the task of making their portfolios something of the importance they should be. And no time is being lost about the business. It is evident the array of new brooms proposes to sweep very clean. Nowhere is this more evident than with -Mines, which is in the care of the enthusiastic, Hon. P. C. Webb Mr Webb outlined his mining policy in a full a.nd frank statement giving evidence throughout of shaking up tne dry bones of the most neglected department in the public service, incidentally he has associated with him the Labour members for Raglan, Westland and Thames as an advisory or co-operating committee. Under such a scheme all classes of mining should have a voice at headquarters when the department after years of lethargy, is revitalised. Mr Webb aims at a mining revival such as has Deen' created in Australia, Canada and South Africa by attention to the needs of the industry. He -realises the possibilities, and is to set out after real achievement. It is a definite return to the policy of the late It. J. Seddon, since whose lamented demise, interest iu the gold industry by tne controlling authoriies has been dwindling till it reached almost vanishing point. This is not a new discovery. It Has been said over and over again in these columns. The only aid to help retrieve the situation was that from the Unemployment Board which took up the work the Mines Department should have done, and set about doing it with enthusiasm. But in that quarter the attention was partial only, and done not directly to help the industry hut for relief purposes. Fortunately the Board did help the industry if unintentionally, and the country we are sure is grateful for what came to pass under the system inaugurated by Mr .Tesscp, and which still nourishes. The newly-fledged Minister of Mines is not going to be an automation. We visualise hi in as a real chief in being directing and augmenting bis staff and making the Mines Department perform full-time service to the country’s betterment. What he lias said about gold mining will be approved generally. It he is not able to remove the gold tax immediately, it. will lie some help half way to direct the money to genuine prospecting and investigation of the country’s mineral resources. We hope as Minister he will go about the gold fields and learn first hand from the working miners, as was Mr Serfdom's custom, what were best to help

expand the industry. The Minister could do with more stuff. We wonder when ‘an Inspector of Mines was seen in Westland p One should be here permanently to assist in aiding and directing fresh efforts to explore the country for reefs and the likely situations for deep level workings. ino doubt as a coal miner, Mr Webb will give special thought to that branch. It needs it, and if he can bring about the benefits he contemplates, he will earn the thanks of New Zealand. The Minister proposes rightly to help private enterprise, but should be careful not to be to eager about restricting protection or mining privileges. Mining is costly to develop, and capital is not raised readily. Intelligent patience should be shown but on tn« statement of a case, we feci sure Mr Webb would not attempt anything unfair. The general policy he lias outlined is so much in keeping with views expressed in these columns, that we wish him every success in his important undertaking, and believe in Westland there is a great scope fbr much good work.