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Cromwell Argus, Volume I, Issue 29, 1 June 1870, Page 4

Wp are surprised to find Mr Ashcroft's name amongst those who voted against Mr Kaughton's motion for the repeal of the gold export dutj. When we look at the names in the division-list, we are not surprised that a motion so jauntily introduced was as quickly shelved as possible. There is a want of earnestness in the matter. The miner's half-crown is too valuable an item in the revenue receipts to be dispensed with. The majority of both parties are agreed upon maintaining the tax if possible, though it is known to be extremely unpopular on the gold-fields. The monetary interest and the merchants also seek its retention, as the means of remittance, or for negociating them in London. So the Council, feeling that ifc has an awkward subject before it, decides, by something that appears like a tacit understanding, to kill the bantling with as little fuss as possible, and bury it quickly out of sight. The Iteid Ministry have had a difficult game this session to play, and we are not therefore surprised at the thin housra that di-jtdsd #*> mdily upon the

abstract proposition, that the gold should bo reduced. But it is quito ( able that so important an interest as mining one should perfectly underatai position, and tho amount of consider and attention paid to it. Certainly not by any means, this session, any Yery flattering.