KAURI GUM INDUSTRY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21462, 8 April 1933, Page 7

KAURI GUM INDUSTRY

ASSOCIATION PROPOSED AUCKLAND ORGANISATION OBJECTS AND CONSTITUTION The formation of a Kauri G/uiti Industry Association in Auckland is proposed. A meeting of those interested in tho scheme, 500 of whom" have been circularised, will be held shortly. In a circular the chairman, Mr. E. H. Mcllveen, says tho points first needing attention would be that kauri gum reserves should be kept intact; that freight charges should be reduced; that in the event of the market becoming active and an over-supply of men migrating to the fields, some prior advantage should be given to diggers now on the fields; that some understanding should be reached with the Government regarding the disposal of stocks held by tho Kauri / Gum Control Board, which seven "months ago was ordered to be disbanded, but which still held stocks; that the Government and tho Unemployment Board should be impressed with the need of assisting the gum industry in periods of depression; and that existing legislation should bo dealt with. Members of Executive The proposed constitution, which will come up for confirmation at the general meeting, provides for an executive council consisting of two representatives of exporters, two of brokers and dealers, one of country dealers and two of the producers' representatives. The subscriptions are £1 a year for exporters, brokers and town dealers. 10s for country dealers and Is for diggers and producers.

" AVe feel there is need for an association in the industry," said Mr. McIlveen yesterday. Already 90 per cent of Auckland exporters, dealers and brokers had joined. Besides the 12 in this class, there were four country dealers and 31 producers represented so far.

In a letter to the Herald, Mr. Mark Hoggard, of Waiharera, says: " There are at least two proposals that will require very careful consideration on the producers' part before they lend their support to the association. It will be seen from the suggested constitution that the ' whip hand ' on the executive council is to be held by the exporters and brokers, the producers' and country dealers' representatives being in the minority. Another impossible proposal, so far as the producers are concerned, states that the expenses of the'representatives attending meetings of the association shall be borne bv the individual representative and shall not be a charge on the funds of the association. There is not a full-time gum-digger on the field who could afford to travel to and from the meetings at his own expense. Reply to Objections " I trust the exporters and brokers will not get the impression that I am opposed to the association. Far from it; I believe it is a move -in tho right direction and should accomplish much that will help to revive a dying industry. At the same time, the co-opera-tion of country dealers and producers is necessary if we are to be successful," concludes Mr. Hoggard. In reply to the objection concerning the composition of the executive, Mr. Mcllveen said the-constitution set out was only tentative. Producers and country dealers were entitled to vote for the exporters' and and brokers' representatives as well as having the sole right to elect their own representatives. Regarding the question of council members' travelling expenses, Mr. Mcitlveen said the executive was given power to assist financially country members to attend meetings when funds permitted. Moreover, it was probable the producers' and country dealers' representatives would be city, 'residents.