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1945 NEW ZEALAND

KAURI-GUM INDUSTRY (REPORT ON THE) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH, 1945

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly pursuant to Section 5 of the Kauri-Gum Industry Amendment Act, 1914

Sir, — Department of Lands and Survey, Wellington, 14th August, 1945. I have the honour to submit herewith the annual report under the Kauri-gum Industry Amendment Act, 1914, for the year ended 31st March, 1945. I have, &c., R. G. Maomorran, Under-Secretary. The Hon. the Minister of Lands.

There was some increase in the production of kauri-gum during the past twelve months, and also quite a fair increase in the number of diggers on the various fields, such additional diggers being mostly Maoris. The type of gum produced was, however, mostly chips, aijd therefore of poor to fair quality. The sales showed some increase, but this did not all represent gum recently dug. In many cases it was due to diggers having held their gum for some years past in order to sell it on a good market. The export demand was strong, while owing to the difficulty in obtaining substitutes because of import restrictions there was a fair demand locally for kauri-gum for use in the manufacture of varnishes and wax matches. The strong overseas demand was caused by the difficulty in obtaining synthetic substitutes and the necessary labour to work the deposits of low-grade resins. It is possible that with the cessation of hostilities in Europe the overseas demand will decrease. The local demand is for first-quality gum, and in most oases poorer types are exported. The prices have remained the same or substantially the same as those for the previous twelve months, although there is some slight increase in the price of the lower grades. During the year 1,314 tons of gum were exported, of a total value of £87,172. Kauri-gum Industry Account The assets of the Kauri-gum Industry Account have been realized and the account has been abolished by statute.

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