EXPLOITING THE DEAD SEA

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXI, 1 December 1927, Page 5

EXPLOITING THE DEAD SEA

CONCESSION GRANTED

(By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) (A.P.A. and ,“Sun”)

(Received Ist December, 12.2 p.m.) LONDON, 30th November. Mr W. G. Ormsby-Gore, Parliamentary Secretary for the Colonial Office, states that four applications had been received for the Dead Sea salts concession, and it had been decided tq grant the concession to two gentlemen named Tullock and Novomezsky, biased on a joint' concession. Negotiations were proceeding concerning terms, conditions and guarantees. There was no proposal that the Government should obtain the controlling interest by the purchase of shares. Mr Howard "Bury: “Is the, Government aware that the potash deposits alone are worth £14,000,000, of which Germany so far has the monopoly? Will the Government consider .acquiring a controlling interest, in view of the vital importance to the. Empire?” Mr Ormsby-Gore: “I think the figures quoted are astronomical. Whatever the salts are worth, the processes of obtaining and marketing them are experimental.” He did not think it would be advisable to ask the taxpayer to invest in such an enterprise. * 1