GOLDMINING RELIEF

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21398, 24 January 1933, Page 8

GOLDMINING RELIEF

The encouraging news that is being received from the goldfields more than justifies the policy of the Unemployment Board to place as much labour as possible in that important avenue of production. At present London prices, one ounce of gold is worth about one and a-half hundredweight of butter, and it runs no risk of encountering a congested market. Gold is the best possible export, and in applying relief funds to stimulate its production the Unemployment Board is serving the national interest. It also is helping the individual. With personal incentive behind him the relief worker who engages in goldmining escapes from the soul-destroying influence of the No. 5 scheme. He enters a sphere where "go slow" time - killing methods are unknown and maintains his manhood. In many cases these men have won their reward, sometimes receiving a little additional help from emergency funds placed in the hands of local authorities. In Otago, for instance, the board has authorised the local authority to purchase small pumps which are lent to miners on the condition that they pay rent for them if they strike gold. The coming year will see opportunities in mining greatly extended and men on the register who are physically fit will be well advised to watch developments and seize the first chance. Inexperience will be no bar seeing that skilled miners will be found to give guidance to each gang. The reports from Otago suggest that one point should be emphasised. Unemployment funds must not be permitted, even in the most remote manner, to lead to "wild cat" flotations. A careful watch must be kept by the board, particularly upon the tendency of Dunedin to allow its native shrewdness to be misled by visionary goldmining projects.