N.G. Gold

Survey of Industry Urged

From Our Own Correspondent WAU, Aug. 3.

TO-DAY, with the Empire at war and the urgent heed for gold to purchase planes, munitions and food in U.S.A., it is strange that little effort is apparently being made in the Colonies and Territories to increase their gold out put. Morobe Goldfield here is the Cin derella of New Guinea—why has a com mittee not been formed by the Admini stration to inquire into every avenue that might lead to a greater production?

In the early days of the field, gold was plentiful—some mining teams gathered it by the 100 ounces a day. Nowadays, apart from the big companies, the small miner has to battle for every ounce, sometimes using costly sluicing plant and other machinery. Admittedly, gold was then worth only £2 an ounce against to day’s £ll.

Experienced men say that lower grade ores abound in Morobe, but costs pro hibit their working. For instance, rice (the staple diet for native labour) has advanced nearly £5 a ton within a few months and now costs over £34 a ton landed at Wau. Many prospectors find they have insufficient funds—and induce ment —to go out and seek fresh fields.

Should not the Government make a move in this direction?

After all. we’ve had commissions of in quiry looking into amalgamation, native labour, etc., but none has made a survey of the gold industry which practically has carried the Territory during the past few years.