KAURI GUM INDUSTRY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21473, 22 April 1933, Page 13

KAURI GUM INDUSTRY

AFFAIRS OF BOARD Further criticism of the delay in the winding-up of the Kauri Gum Control Board, the disbanding of which was announced nine months ago, was made at a meeting of the recently-formed Kauri Gum Industry Association yesterday. It was stated that a suggestion to the Minister of Lands, the Hon. E. A. Ransom, from an Auckland merchant that an agont should be appointed to dispose of the board's present stocks on a commission basis had been referred to the chairman of the board. In the letter to the Minister the merchant stated that the stocks held by the board wero comparatively light, there being about £3OOO worth, but the existence of the board meant incurring a cost of £IOO a'month. This expense could be eliminated by appointing an agent. At yesterday's meeting of the association's executive it was stated that although the board was still functioning practically no gum was being disposed of by it. In the opinion of member.} the destruction of two-thirds of the board's stocks by fire last July, which was given as the reason for tho delay, should have expedited the wind-ing-up of tho board's affairs. It was stated that an injustice was being done to diggers by the delay. Further progress has been made by tho association and a meeting for tho election of the executive will be held on Friday. Only tho required two nominations for producers' representatives have been received and the nominees will bo elected unopposed. They are Mr. Mark Hoggard, of Waiharera, and Mr. E. McDougall, formerly of Waihopo, who is now residing in Auckland.