KAURI GUM INDUSTRY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15748, 24 October 1914, Page 9

KAURI GUM INDUSTRY.

THE GOVERNMENT'S BILL. ASSISTANCE DURING WAR. [BT TELEGRAPH.-—SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.] Wellington, Friday. A Bill relating to the kauri gum industry containing proposals designed to enable the Government to assist those engaged in the industry to carry on during the war has been circulated. The Bill proposes to empower the Minister for Lands to enter into and enforce contracts for the working of any Crown lands or the drainage and general improvement of Crown lands in a kauri gum district and for the purchase and sale of kauri gum. On the purchase of any kauri gum under the Act, the Minister may pay to the vendor an amount not exceeding one-half of the estimated value ! of the gum forthwith. On the sale of the gum by the Minister there shall be deducted from the selling price the amount paid to the vendor on the purchase and the amount expended by the Minister in respect to storage, insurance, and freight, and all other expenses incurred by "the Minister in respect of the gum. including a charge in respect of the cost of administration of the Act. The Minister for Finance, it is proposed, shall, on being authorised by the Governor in Council, raise a sum of money not exceeding £50,000 for the purpose of giving effect to the provisions in the Act.