THE THAMES DEEP LEVELS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 14109, 10 July 1909, Page 4

THE THAMES DEEP LEVELS.

The decision of the Cabinet to limit to. £5000 the subsidy to be granted towards the unwatering of the Thames deep levels is most disappointing. The interested companies, after a great deal of difficulty, and as the result of much compromise and concession, finally succeeded in coming to an understanding under which unwatering was possible if the Government cooperated. The scheme thus arranged provided for work which was estimated to cost £16,795. The Government was asked to find half of this (£8398), while five companies contributed £2000 each, thus providing the necessary margin for unforeseen contingencies. '.. It was agreed that work should commence as soon as the Government subsidy was forthcoming. Every effort was made by the companies to reduce the cost of the scheme to the lowest possible figure, and to make a plan that would be equitable to all concerned. To ask for £8000 from the Government, as its share in the cost of a scheme which involves the immediate expenditure of nearly £18,000, and only makes exploration possible then, was little enough. For the Government has a direct interest in successful, gold mining, while taking no risks upon unsuccessful mining, as well as its .great indirect interest in an industrial, activity which increases the wealthproduction of r the State. The difficulty of arranging- a scheme, which demands hard cash from the com- ■ ■$ -

parries and makes only a problematic return; the extremity of a great mining field which has contributed greatly to the . progress of the Dominion and will contribute again if the deep levels prove kind; the special desirability of fostering industry and encouraging employment; were all known '<■. to the Cabinet. Yet we have the small subsidy asked for cut down in a most unreasonable manner, and the whole arrangement between the companies ruthlessly broken up. The sum of £8000 would be little enough for the State to pay towards a deep levels exploration which may revolutionise gold mining and pay high wages to thousands of men. This pettiness in administration cannot but react injuriously upon progress of the country; but we can hardly expect intelligent administration or recognition of the importance of . increased wealth production from a Government that locks against eager settlers millions of acres of fertile land.