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Session !1. 1921. NE W ZEALAND

MINES STATEMENT BY THE HON. G. J. ANDERSON, MINISTER OF MINES.

Mb, Speaker,— I have the honour to present to Parliament the Mines Statement for the year ended the 3tst December, 1920. It was anticipated that after the termination of the war renewed efforts would be made to increase the production of minerals in the Dominion, but since the Armistice considerable difficulty has been experienced by those interested in mines in obtaining sufficient capital to develop and extend their mining ventures. As a consequence the results which were anticipated have not yet been obtained. During the year under notice the Government has given considerable assistance in several forms : — (1.) By making geological surveys and publishing bulletins ; (2.) By granting subsidies to no less than eighteen approved parties for prospecting ; (3.) By loaning Government drills upon most reasonable terms ; (4.) By granting loans for carrying on mining and for purchasing equipment and plant ; (5.) By making liberal contributions to the several schools of mines throughout the Dominion ; (6.) By granting subsidies lo local bodies to enable them to construct and maintain roads within mining districts ; (7.) By maintaining at heavy expense Govern ment water-races in the Westland and Otago Mining Districts, and selling the water al prices which are really not remunerative. Tt will thus be seen that the mining industry in New Zealand has received great assistance from the Government. The Government of no other country has devoted more money to assist its people to develop mining. It is hoped that the efforts of the Department will result most favourably to prospectors and miners generally. At one period of the history of New Zealand mining held the most prominent place in our industries. The discovery of new goldlields will do much to rehabilitate it in importance, and with that object in view prospectors will be assisted as far as the financial position will allow. New discoveries will do much to alleviate our present difficulties, especially in regard to unemployment, and put fresh vigour into the trade of the Dominion.

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