AN. INTERESTING VENTURE.

Taranaki Daily News, 9 May 1930, Page 8

AN. INTERESTING VENTURE.

While Senator Millen, the chairman of the company that has begun a search for oil at Omata, was frank enough to say at the official opening ceremony yesterday that ha and hie colleagues were "here to make money,” it was made plain that the project so happily launched by the Minister of Mines possesses an interest apart from its possibilities in the’ way of making, or losing, money. As a commercial enterprise the undertaking is not a subject for discussion in these columns; it Js entirely a matter concerning which individuals must be left to form their own opinions. But romance has long been associated with the quest for oil, and its history contains many thrilling and fascinating stories. The romantic aspect was the keynote of the capably framed and neatly worded address delivered by Mr. Veitch, whose picture of Taranaki as the possible leader of the Dominion in the development of oil resources —provided, of course, the resources exist and prove to be commercially workable--must have appealed to his large, audience. Among those who stood around there were, n© doubt, many who have personal knowledge and perhaps have had sad experience of oil enterprises that have not been successful. Even these must have been stirred in some degree by the Minister’s suggestion of the benefits that would accrue if Taranaki could be made the home bf a great oil industry. Even to supply the needs of the Dominion, which, Mr. Veitch pointed out, imported more than £3,000,000 worth of oil last year, would be a great achievement and would make for the substantial progress of .the district. If that achievement should be the destiny which this newest oil enterprise is to fulfil the people of Taranaki would be just as pleased as Mr. Veitch says he would be. It is safe to say that all those who attended the function at Omata yesterday and many more will be interested to watch the progress of the venture and for its own sake as well as the possibility of its becoming a factor in the advancement of Taranaki will wish it complete success.