KAURI GUM.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19066, 11 January 1924, Page 8

KAURI GUM.

LEAN TIME FOR DIGGERS. PURCHASERS NOT OPERATING. (Fbom Gob Own Oobbekpondent.) AUCKLAND, January 9. The precarious position of the gumdigging industry owing to the failure of merchants to purchase was emphasised by a deputation from the diggers, both Maori and pakeha, to the Hon. J. G. Coates (Minister of Public Works and Railways) during his tour in the North Auckland pro ; vinoe. No purchasers have been made by merchants for months the diggers state, and they say they are reduced to a desperate position. The Minister was impressed with the representations made, and at Houhora ho stated he would request the Minister ol Lands to make financial provision for the Government buyers to operate, thus affording a temporary measure of relief. Mr Coates said the matter of assisting the industry was more complex than might be thought. He believed that the gum was by no means exhausted, and he had an expert opinion which considered that the industry would exist for another 100 to 150 years'. The expert was a large buyer and employer in the industry. He stated that be had one little basin that would keep 200 men going for the next 100 years. The surface was dug out 15 years ago, and the diggers had everywhere searched the lower levels until they were now at 25ft and 30ft down, and were still getting gum. now much longer was that basin going to last? That the industry was anything but exhausted was proved, said the Minister, by the £500.00 , 0 worth of exports in 1922, a figure within a very few thousand pounds of a record. As to forming a Board of Control, said the Minister, there was a difficulty. There was already control in several articles of primary produce, but Government control could not create a market. The only market was the consumer. If he were not bidding then the producer must suffer. The producer must he careful not to create a fa.se situation by spending money and inflating values above what they legitimately should be. They must be very careful in attempting to stabilise values not to give rise to a fictitious position. ‘.‘l think, however,” said Mr Coates, “if anyone could bold accumulated stocks so as to recoup his losses the Government should bo that one.” Whether a board should bo set up to control the gum industry bo was not prepared to say. The question of a permanent remedy for the present position was a matter of policy to be closely examined.