STRUCK OIL.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 100, 30 March 1937, Page 6

STRUCK OIL.

It is reported that a party of six prospectors have discovered oil deposits, which they believe to be valuable. It is very probable that the report, is correct since oil has been found to exist in the South Island, but not so far south as Martin Bay. As to its value that remains to be proved, but the fact that a discovery has been made is of absorbing interest. Under present conditions there can hardly be any great ex ‘ tension of our agricultural resources, for several of our primary products fire affected by low prices, and expanding' the production of dairy produce, which is our main item of export, would be futile. In view of the taxpayers’ liability the tendency may be towards a contraction in dairy production. Meat exports have been under discussion for a considerable time past, for both meat and dairy produce have but a single outside market, which is narrowing rather than widening. The exeeptionaly high prices ruling for wool will tempt many dairy farmers to switch over from dairying to wool growing provided their land is suitable. As it is evident that our agricultural resources are not likely to expand, it is necessary to give close attention to our mineral wealth, of which we know very little. That we have such resources can safely be taken for granted for there is no country in the world so barren as not to be able to add to the world’s wealth. The mineral resources of the North Island may not be very great, but there must be something that is worth searching for. There is a chance that our greatest mineral resources may be discovered in the extreme south between Milford Sound on the one side to Invercargill on the other, a stretch of country that is practically no man’s land. Gold is known to exist there, but that other valuable metal deposits are to be found is believed by many.

What is needed is an organised and scientifically equipped expedition of trained geologists to make the investigations. In this respect we can take a leaf from the Soviet book with great advantage. Soviet. geologists have played an important part in the industrial transformation of the U.S.S.R. Industry greatly enhances the value of natural resources in raw materials, and geological science has been applied on a grand scale to the practical task of increasing the known mineral deposits and discovering new resources. The Soviet geologist knows that his discoveries even in what are at present the most inaccessible reo*ions will be utilised; that Tig will be followed in his work by the mineralogist, chemist and engineer, and his discoveries exploited and made available for adoption in industry. The geologist is the pioneer of industrial expansion and it is industries that we now need. Let the geologist find and classify the various deposits, and the chemist, the engineer, and the capitalist will soon turn the deposits to account if they are found to be worth it. Mineral discoveries would help to solve unemployment problems.