CROMWELL MINERS' ASSOCIATION.

Cromwell Argus, Volume V, Issue 213, 9 December 1873, Page 5

CROMWELL MINERS' ASSOCIATION.

The usual monthly meeting of the Committee of the above Association was held in the Town-hall on Saturday evening last. There were thirteen members present; Mr J. Arkell, President, occupied the Chair. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. The outward correspondence was read, and approved of. T'ho inward consisted of one letter from the Secretary for the Gold-fields in re the commonage question, which was published in last week’s Argus, It was read, and after some discussion upon it, it was resolved to appoint Messrs Arkell,. Colclough, and Barker to po operate with the Town Council in waiting upon the Provincial Secretaiy and the Goldfields Secretary with a view to a settlement of the matter. The reduction in the price of gold was then taken into consideration. A lengthy discussion, or rather conversation, for all present were of one mind upon the subject of the injustice of the reduction, took place, and a resolution was arrived at that it was desirable to try some plan of meeting the combination of the .Banks by some counter-combination on the part of the miners. The Secretary suggested one method, which was finally agreed upon. The letter underneath, a copy of which was directed to be sent to each Association, will sufficiently explain the method without reporting the proceed!ups,at length. The following is the copy of letter alluded to :

“ Sir,—l am directed by this Association to bring under your notice tbo combination of the banks, by which means they have reduced the price of gold to 755,, being actually less than was ever offered before (taking the reduced duty into consideration). The combination alluded to points to the possibility of a further reduction, should it appear that the miner accop's the present one without remonstrance. This matter, affecting, as it docs, the wages earnings of the miners, is well worthy the earnest consideration of your Association, and you arc invited to suggest some plan to prevent the miners from being completely in the hands of the combined banks. “While our Association will gladly consider any suggestion on this matter from you, wo offer the following one for your opinion and consideration, viz. : That the miners, by counter-combi-nation through their Associations, pledge themselves to sell gold onlv to such one bank as may he determined upon by the united Associations. It is obvious that as each of the banks requires gold urgently, such a stop would, if properly carried out, compel the other banks (which would get no gold) to offer an advance to obtain it, when tl’e compact would be immediately broken, and gold would find its proper value, —viz., what it is worth to a purchaser having regard to hia individual requirements. “ But little real inconvenience will be felt by the miners in adopting the plan suggested, and they will have the satisfaction to- know that they have the power, by this one act, to at once and for ever break down a banking combination of which the last move was only probably a preliminary attack. “ You will please give the suggestion vour early attention, and reply as early as possible.— I am, yours faithfully, “ Ohas. Coi.CLoumr, “lion. Sec. Cromwell Association.”