UNOFFICIAL SUPPER.

Thames Star, Volume LXI, Issue 16940, 2 August 1927, Page 5

UNOFFICIAL SUPPER.

TO PARLIAMENTARY PARTY. Not on the official programme, but none the less important, was the unofficial supper given by the Borough Council to the Minister of Mines (Hon. G. Jas. Anderson), and the members of the Parliamentary party, at the Royal Hotel 'at 10 p.m. on Saturday night. His Worship the Mayor (Mr. Wm. Bongard) presided and was in cheerful mood after his trying ordeal of an hour before, and his high spirits soon became infectious and made the guests thoroughly enjoy themselves. Members of Parliament became reminiscent, and told tales out of school. Host Flett excelled himself with one of the spreads that he can well provide. After coffee His Worship called for attention. He would have all drink a toast—the Hon. Minister—Mr. Anderson. He was no stranger to Thames and knew all about mining. His was the decree that gave assistance when it really needed. It would surprise many to hear what amount of money had been given and the Government would still continue to assist in cases of bona fide mining. That afternoon the Minister had said that revenue from farming tyas more than that from min-

There was still a field that had never been tapped, and the speaker hoped it would soon materialise. The toast was drunk with enthusiasm. Replying, the Hon. Minister said that nothing but kindness had been extended to him that day. He had experienced the hospitality of Thames before and knew what it was. The good old spirit of Thames was alive to-day and as pleasant as it ever had been [in the past. Referring to the assistance “given to the Goldfields in the past, Mr. Anderson said that such liberality could not obtain to-day. The Government would not grant subsidies to anything that carried large promoters shares. Very little return had been made to the Government for its huge expenditure on mining in the past, and Mr. Anderson quoted figures comparing subsidies with revenue. He

stressed the necessity of advice from scientific men being obtained. This would be a great factor. It was being done in oil boring and had proved a success elsewhere. He had a bill before the House which would induce large capital to come into the country —he wanted British capital, not foreign capital. He was always sympathetic to bona fide mining ventures, but there was a limit. It was no use companies starting with smal capital and then getting pinched. This sort of business did more harm than good. What was keeping Waihi going to-day? Simply because the Company had reserves. Now that the Government geologist had made a survey and reported, the Company was being run on business and practical lines, it had! been doomed to failure otherwise. No other country in the world did so much to encourage mining, but caution had to be used. There were going to be a lot of alterations to the mining law. The Minister spoke at length on the use of the diamond drill, of which the Government had a number. They had been used at Waihi and also on the coalfields. Thames had no more energetic man in the House than Mr. Rhodes, and he (Mr.. Anderson) could not please him or grant all his requests. The officers of the Department were doing good work, notably, Mr. Paul who, he . regretted to say, was retiring, and he wished him long life and happiness to enjoy his leisure. Mr. Kimball, too, was a most able man. Some people said Mr. Kimball ran the Minister, but this was not so. He would be very sorry to lose Mr. Kimball’s services. All the Mining Inspectors were of a v«ery high class, and carefully watched mining matters. He assured them hat the Government was always ready to assist genuine mining.

Later in the evening Mr. A. G. Bryan ably proposed the toast of “Other Members of Parliament.” He was pleased to see so many present at the Jubilee Celebrations. This was replied to by the Hon. W. H. Mclntyre, M.L.C. (Nelson), Mr. G. W. Forbes (Hurunui), Leader of the National "Party; Mr. J. Horn (Walcatipu), Mr. A. M. Samuel (Ohine-' muri), Mr. J. Linldater (Manawatu), and Mr. T. W. Rhodes (Thames).

•Other toasts honoured were “The Mines Committee,” “The Under-Secre--tary of Mines” (Mr. Kimball), and finally, on the motion of the Hon. G.c Jas. Anderson, that of the Chairman and the Mayoress. This brought a very pleasant function to a close. During the evening Mr. J. Galloway contributed a song, Mr. Scrimgeour acting as accompanist.