FUTURE OF MINING

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVI, Issue 8079, 6 April 1912, Page 1

FUTURE OF MINING

MB COLVIN'S PLANS. INSPECTION OF THE STATE COLLIERIES. PBESS ASSOCIATION. CHRISTCHURCH. April 5. The Hon. J. Colvin, Minister or Mines, arrived here from Wellington to-day en route for the West . Coast. ; Asked regarding his views on the political situation, Mr Colvin remarked that ho had little to say. He believed that the Mackenzie Ministry would prove equal 1 o the task of retaining office despite the anticipations of some that the contrary would bo the case. He thought that the Ministry was one of .the best that the Dominion had ever had, and was a strong one from a. debating as well as from an administrative point of view. Personally, his own interests were bound up in the mining industry, and he had a great deal of sympathy for the industry, which ho • considered one of the best colonisers in the world. Ail his/life he had been either engaged in mining or in, business connected with the indnriry. He recognised that ho hod a hard, uphill climb in following bis predecessor, Mr R. McKenzie, but he intended exerting his utmost endeavours to push ahead the mining industry in all its phases—gold, coal, and oil. He hoped to be able on his present visit to the Coast to visit the State Coal Mines at Bunonga and Seddonville,, as well ,as the different mining centres. .

Asked if there were any recent developments in connection with the Kotuku oilfields, Mr Colvin replied that he possessed no official information, but he learned from a gentleman who recently visited the field that the prospects were improving. Mr Colvin leaves hy tbo Cass train tomorrow morning for the West Coast.