The Daily News. TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 1920. DEVELOPING NATURAL RESOURCES.

Taranaki Daily News, 14 September 1920, Page 4

The Daily News. TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 1920. DEVELOPING NATURAL RESOURCES.

The recent visit of the Mayor of New Plymouth to Wellington, in connection with the development of oil in Taranaki, draws attention once more to the urgent need for a definite and comprehensive national effort to develop the valuable resources of the Dominion. Why this great work has not long since been taken in hand and prosecuted with determination cannot be satisfactorily explained. Possibly it is not of such a nature as to appeal to the authorities 'with the same effect as those more spectacular concerns which excite the interest of the generality of the public, but the end in view is one that materially affects all sections of the community. Another reason may be that the process of research entails considerable expenditure, for which, until success has been gained, there is little to show, besides which the provision of roading and railway facilities means further outlay. Probably the real reason may be assigned to the fact that the exceptional prosperity the country has been enjoying has acted as a handicap to what some may regard as merely problematical wealth that can be tested at any future time when a pressing need arrives. Whatever may be the cause of the continued neglect to exploit the undeveloped deposits of oil, coal, iron, and other minerals which are known to exist in New Zealand, there can be no doubt that the country is suffering great loss from the delay. Private eaterprise is naturally governed by the elements of risk and profits, and cannot be expected to take up important development enterprises that are of a national character. Manifestly the two main essentians in this, as in all other developmental work, are men and money. The shortage of men can only be overcome by adopting an adequate and effective policy of immigration, and in that policy should be found a place for men likely to be of good service in the required direction. Just now the country has to face heavy financial obligations, and the obtaining of the money for other than pressing need is difficult. Still there is no gainsaying the fact that the exploitation of our natural resources would confer a great benefit upon the country, and after a while help it to better bear the heavy load it has to carry. There is no question that the officers of the Mines Department would be only too ready to do their best if given a free hand. Even the promised legislation for protecting the pioneering work connected xvith the oil fields is a move in the right direction, though it is only a mere drop in the ocean. Reliable supplies of oil are essential for the defence of the Empire, so that forms a powerful reason why every possible effort should be made to discover and work oil measures in all parts of the Empire. Taranaki possesses oil, coal and 4 ron, all cf which are still undeveloped. Considering the immense value to industrial activities that these three minerals are,

eminent to do tlie utmost possible fin making use of such commodities instead of having to import from abroad. Germany built up her vast industries and commerce by developing her stock of raw materials, and subsidising their manufacture. It is all a matter of enlightened and far-seeing policy. It may fairly be claimed that the time, has now arrived when this development work shall be in the forefront of New Zealand's activities. The primary industries are on a solid basis, and the attainment of a similarly satisfactory position in connection with secondary industries should now be given the requisite attention, not in a superficial way, tut as a work of supreme consequence to the future of the Dominion. Meanwhile every encouragement and assistance should be given to private enterprise having for its object the winning of coal, oil and iron now lying idle. No one can foretell the extent of the mineral wealth in this country, but the indications are that its potentialities justify a large outlay, that should prove highly remunerative, and become a considerable factor in the production problem, which is so essential to the future welfare of the country.