PETROLEUM BILL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23369, 8 December 1937, Page 10

PETROLEUM BILL

PROGRESS OF THE MEASURE PASSAGE LIKELY BEFORE RECESS 'From Our Parliamentary Reporter) WELLINGTON, Dec. 7. In spite of the apparent concern exhibited by some members over the question of royalty payments for petroleum in New Zealand, the Petroleum Bill, consideration ot which was adjourned last night, is still likely to be passed before the House of Representatives adjourns at the end of the week for the Christmas recess. The Bill vests all petroleum deposits in the Crown and provides for prospecting and mining rights to private enterprise, with a proviso that at least a 5 per cent, royalty must be paid to the Government on the value of all petroleum won from New Zealand wells. The fact that under the Bill property owners on whose land oil may be found are to have no share in the proceeds from the royalties was contested by the Opposition yesterday, and particular exception was taken to the fact that the alienation of mineral rights on Native lands constituted a breach of the Treaty of Waitangi. As the debate on the Bill was adjourned on the motion of the Government, and as nothing is to be allowed to impede the business of the House during the next few days, the Prime Minister (Mr Savage) was asked in an interview to-night whether the Bill would be discussed again before the adjournment on Friday. "I think we will be able to put it through all right," the Prime Minister replied. "It will come up for discussion again on Thursday." Although the Prime Minister did not say so, it is understood that the Government will be prepared to reconsider later in the session the differences of opinion already expressed in the House so long as the Bill itself is passed before the recess. As indicated yesterday by the Minister of Mines (Mr P C. Webb), the passage of the .legislation is urgently required in order that important overseas interests may commence an early and comprehensive search for oil deposits in New Zealand. Mr Webb himself is of the opinion that the main objective is to get drills working on likely oilbearing land.