Cromwell Argus, AND NORTHERN GOLD-FIELDS GAZETTE. CROMWELL: TUESDAY, JUNE 13.

Cromwell Argus, Volume 2, Issue 83, 13 June 1871, Page 4

Cromwell Argus, AND NORTHERN GOLD-FIELDS GAZETTE. CROMWELL: TUESDAY, JUNE 13.

The present Session of the Provincial Council bids fair to become an eventful one in the mining history of Otago, called together at the conclusion of the labors of the Mining Conference; the many changes recommended to be made by that body in the gold-fields laws of the Province, cannot fail to materially affect the sitting of the Legislature, and exercise influences of paramount consequence on the future prospects of the country. Already, their mission has borne fruit. The necessity for tho repeal of the Gold Export duty was dwelt upon by Mr Bastings in his place in tha Council last week. lie contended it was a burdensome exaction on mining industry; tending as a check to the vigorous development of our most staple source ef wealth, and of much pecuniary hardship and loss to every individual gold producer. The Goldfields Secretary, Mr Bradshaw, also lent his support to the furtherance of the views of the lion, member, succinctly showing, that the miner, through this and similar

imposts, yearly paid 7 per cent move to the general revenue, than otlier classes of New Zealand colonists. Mr Oargill, however, thought it not at all advisable to do away with such a branch of income, averring, that miners, when the peculiar nature of their calling was duly considered, only bore an equitable proportion of taxation. The Government eventually accepted the spirit of Mr Bastings' motion in an amended form, by undertaking to submit a resolution to the House of Representatives for the reduction of ths Export Duty.

The late appointment of a Warden for Blacks, was another subject that occupied * the attention of the Chamber; it being hinted undue partiality had been displayed in nominating that officer, to the exclusion of a gentleman of longer standing in the goldlields service, and of equal efficiency and capability to the person selected..

These initiatory acts of the Legislating, seem to indicate a desire not to overlook the claims mining districts have to a due share of attention. But it is to bo hoped its regard for our interests, will not rest, as it weke, on the threshold of legislatorial toil, and confine itself only to a few of our preliminary wants, it should continue to form a prominent part of the duty o* the House till the session terminates.

Most' of the recommendations emanat- i ing from the Mining Conference, are worthy of grave and careful consideration. p Among them, the question of commonage for towns and populous localities in our auriferous territory, crops noticeably forth. Here, 'commonage is a necessity of future social expansion, and satisfactory healthy | monetary condition. This is not the only r district though, in which such a need is p felt. During the week we have received | a copy of a petition, which bears 300 | signatures, showing that the residents of | the Mount Bcnger Goldfields suffer from p a common evil with ourselves in this re- | spect. There too, the miner, or other in- Inhabitant, has no provision made for his % pastoral requirements; and as similar \. causes produce like results, there also, | industry, enterprise, and capital, are | "cribbed, cabined, and confined," through f means such as operate in this place of i sturdj nomenclature. " A fellow feeling makes us wondrous kind," so also, should a community of interests. Why not then, all those thus circumstanced, band together for the common weal, and by concerted efforts, endeavor to obtain that which the just exigencies of their position demand ? Co-operation has ever been a grcat : ; element of success. The times seem propitious—the necessity urgent. The c nomadic proclivities of the population no longer exist to any appreciable extent. The present remunerative and probablo futur,e prosperous aspect of our gold productiveness depend on steady permanent residence—this, miners now know full well, and readily avail thomselves of all helps to guarantee such tenure ; every inducement, consequently, should be held i out to further foster these desires. Agricultural settlement, and commonage, are matters eminently calculated to conduce ' to effects of this nature. The Conference, , actuated by motives of thorough utility, have made some highly beneficial suggestions in their report to the Superinten- , dent; let him and his advisers, therefore, » during the current session, bring to fruition whatever of good that document « ! contains.

Let us likewise, by the application of pressure from without, continuous pertinacious peaceful agitation on these subjects, acknowledge our appreciation of the efforts of the Mining Conference to ameliorate the social and pecuniary condition of sojourners on the Otago Goldfields.