KAURI GUM CONTROL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19713, 12 August 1927, Page 15

KAURI GUM CONTROL.

PETITION AGAINST BOARD. QUESTION OF ITS ORIGIN. STATEMENT BY A BROKER. ' A question has been raised regarding the origin of a petition at present behig circulated among gumdiggeijs. It is suggested that it does not by any means represent the feelings of the diggers. Tho petition is one in effect praying for the abolition of the Kauri Gum Control Board, and asking for the absolutely freehand unhampered right to deal with the gum produced. The signatories express their belief that the present trading organisation is better able to bring them relief than the Board of Control. A gum broker stated yesterday that the idea of the petition had originated with the diggers, who had asked their brokers to take the matter up for them. This the brokers had done, and had circulated copies of the petition, which were now coming back very freely signed. He produced a letter, at tho foot of which a producer had written: "We aro all signing petition against control." In two offices there were yesterday copies of the petition that had been returned bearing upwards of 200 signatures, purporting to bo those of diggers. It was stated that other brokers were receiving similar copies. No 0110 individual had been appointed to receive them, and when they all came in the brokers would decide what to do with the petition. An independent man closely in touch with tho conditions of the trade asserted yesterday that it was absurd to say that the diggers were against the board. It was common knowledge, he remarked, that it is not a difficult matter to obtain signatures to a petition. The system of control became effective only last April, and it was pointed out that it is too early yet to make sweeping conclusions as to its results. Official figures show that at any rate the new system has not so far checked the export of gum. In April, 317 tons were received in Auckland from the field, and 471 exported; in May 277 tons came in, and 386 were sent away, and in Juno 359 tons came in, and 435 were sent out. The Control Board will hold, its next meeting on August 25.