KAURI GUM.

Northern Advocate, 29 September 1920, Page 1

KAURI GUM.

GOOD EARNINGS REPORTED

EXPORT DUTY QUESTION

A veply from the Prime Minister was read at the last meeting of the Hobson County Council to a communication which urged the imposition of an export duty on kauri gum, stating that it was a matter that first had to 'be considered 'by the Minister for Lands. Upon confering with his colleague he would communicate further.

Th e chairman, Mr V. Trounson, reported that while he was in Wellington he waited upon the Minister foxLands with reference to the matter and he understood that it was to be dealt with this session. It was the intention of th e Government, he believed, to deal with the matter on the basis of royalty, in lieu of an export tax. It was considered that 10 per cent on gum taken from Crown L,ands and 5 per cent on gum taken from private lands would be a fair royalty. One councillor thought this too high, but the opinion of the council was against him. It was pointed the roads, doing much damage. It was out that all the gum was carted over further pointer out that at Aranga, for instance, one man by digging gum and washing chips had made £160 in five weeks. The average foi* the camp was £50 a month for eacli man. On these figures it was considered that 5 per cent, royalty was not excessive.