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The Pamphlet Collection of Sir Robert Stout: Volume 80a

State Indifference

State Indifference.

This indifference on the part of the State to mining not only applies to the West Coast but to other parts of the Colony as well, and is forcibly brought under notice by recent events in faranaki, which are fraught with more than ordinary importance. That the valuable petroleum oil deposits, so long known to exist by the Mines Department, should have lain dormant for so many years is almost incredible. To chance circumestances alone is the country again indebted for the knowledge thus far obtained in connection with so promising an enterprise. So with the enormous deposits of valuable iron sand in the same district, No encouragement has been given by the state in promoting its development, The Government might long since, by judicious expenditure, have proved its Commercial value, might have built up an industry of great extent, justifiable in every sense, even if only to supply their own requirements, and as an appendage to their various work shops. It is a sad reflection, indeed, that industries of such a national character, calculated to established the permanency and importance of any country, should be so neglected, and that such a perverse spirit of listlessness should obtain in this so-called progressive age, and especially in a country so heavily protected in every respeet, it is impossible to over estimate the advantages unit would ensue were it otherwise. Apparently the advantages of this one particular industry are well understood by those capable of forming correct judgments upon it, for it is gratifying to find a well-known wealthy firm of iron and steel founders in England prepared to set aside capital for the erection of works in New Zealand to treat the ironsand in question, but on the condition that a Government subsidy of £1 per ton be granted up to 20,000 tons of iron produced—enough in reality to modestly start the industry itself upon. At any rate it will be interesting to watch the progress of the negotiations, but it is more than probable the acceptance of the proposition will be strongly advocated and the Government eventually become one of the largest customers. The policy of