KAURI GUM PURCHASES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LII, Issue 16032, 25 September 1915, Page 8

KAURI GUM PURCHASES.

POWERS OF THE STATE. EXTENSION PROPOSED. [BY TELEGRAPH.SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.] Wellington, Friday. The Kauri Gum Industry Amendment Bill, introduced to-night "by Governor's Message, considerably extends the powers of the Government in the direction of trading in kauri gum. The Minister for Lands is given authority to enter into contracts for the purchase of tools and plant for the extraction and treatment of kauri gum, and to purchase and sell gum on any terms and conditions he thinks fit. The Minister, it is proposed, may in future insert a condition in kauri gum digging licenses that the holder must give the Minister the first opportunity of purchasing all gum obtained under the license, otherwise the Minister may cancel the license.

It is also proposed to give the Government power, by Order-in-Council, to set apart any area of Crown land not exceeding 10,000 acres in a kauri gum district for the purpose of promoting the systematic recovery of kauri gum and other valuable products. This land may be leased by the Land Board to approved persons, on condition that it is worked lor the extraction of kauri gum, and that no lease shall extend over more than 3000 acres, or be for more than 21 years. Special penalties are provided for persons who cause damage by lighting fires on kauri gum land.