KAURI GUM INDUSTRY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22464, 7 July 1936, Page 5

KAURI GUM INDUSTRY

GUARANTEED PRICE PLAN

OPPOSITION FROM DIGGERS

Criticism of the suggestion to ask the Government to arrange for the purchase of kauri gum at a guaranteed price of £3O a ton is contained in a letter sent to the Hf.rald by Mr. P. M. Sulcnta, of Waipapakauri, who states ho has written on behalf of the Yugoslav gumdiggers. Mr. Sulcnta says gumdiggers at the present time are receiving an average of about £3O a ton and are finding it very difficult to buy food and clothes. He suggests a standard price of £2 I6s a liundredwcight. This price, he says, may encourage the diggers to keep the industry going, otherwise tho diggers intend to take work under the Public Works Department.

"However," says Mr. Sulenta, "I have been assured by the Hon. D. G. Sullivan, Minister of Industries and Commcrpe, .under the date of June 9, that the question of tho kauri gum industry is at present being; investigated, and as soon as a report is placed before him lie will give his full consideration to the best means of assisting tho industry." Mr. Sulenta says that the Yugoslav kauri gum producers repudiate Messrs. D. Blutcher and M. Hoggard, who have been announced as elected representatives of the diggers of the Far North to place their case before the Government, as their representatives "without first being authorised by individual signature."

Tho Yugoslav diggers, lie says, are producing 90 per cent of the gum, and lie cannot understand how the suggestion of a guaranteed price of £3O a ton could be made. At a meeting of diggers at Waibnpo on June 21 last, attended by 61 diggers, a motion that the Minister be asked to take over the industry was carried unanimously. Free digging was suggested as a temporary means of keeping tho men busy, the use of small machines being an alternative. Tho draining of wet swamps to place the land in readiness for afforestation was also suggested.