The Dunstan Times. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 13, 1876.

Dunstan Times, Issue 756, 13 October 1876, Page 2

The Dunstan Times.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 13, 1876.

Beneath the rule of men entirely just the pen is mightier than the sword.

Although in a great measure we are left to look upon speeches made in the General Assembly advocating a reduction, or the total aboli ;ion of the Gold Duty as amounting to a great deal of clap-trap, because as a rule, Goldfields’ members having very little to say, and perhaps understanding less, generally pick upon the favorite sub jeet of the gold duty to air their eloquence upon, so as to show to their confiding constituents that they have attempted something in their favor while many very important advantages which might have been obtained, they have utterly neglected. We must credit Mr Vincent Pyke, however, with being an exception to this rule, this gentleman although, perhaps, guilty of a departure, and we trust upon conscientious principles, from a portion of his election programme, has not neglected his promises upon the abolition of the Gold Duty, and it was with great pleasure that we published his very able speech on that question in our last issue. There can be no mistake about it, but that the. Gold Duty is a most iniquitous imposition, and a tax upon the productive industiy of the country, which should have no existence whatever. An export Duty upon wool, timber, or corn, would be equally as justifiable, but as we believe that the committal of a wrong upon one section of the community will not assist the others which may bo in trouble, we have always refrained from advocating any export tax upon wool or other comraoditv, either being equally impolitic. It is with much pain that we have hoarl lately so many people, who ought to knew better, speak slightingly of gold mining. No civi. Jizer of modern times has aocotn. plished so much as the finding of a gold-field—the examples of Australia and New Zealand are sufficient evidence of this, and it is not too much

to say that from lands of savagery these Colonies have, through the magic influence of gold, been converted into places where we can enjoy the highest refinements of civilized life. It'is the gold-fields which ’havo planted our fields and our orchards, built Up towns where none existed before, made our roads and railways, and given such a value to real estate, which under no other circumstances could have existed, almost all that we have accomplished in the march of civilization has been through the agency ot the goldfields. Mr Pyko wisely remarks in his speech that miners do not require special legislation, this has been always our opinion, gold-miners do not require more than anybody - else, they are citizens equally with others, and desire an impartial administration of the law in common witli all men. So far as the miners right is concerned, that cannot scarcely be called an unjust tax, the privileges which it confers are surely worth paying for, but as to the gold duty nothing can justify this tax upon labor 1 , and it is not too much to say that its perpetuation is a disgrace upon the Legislature of New Zealand. There appears to be very liutle doubt but that gold-mining will make considerable progress shortly, the favorable results from the various quartz mines being worked in the Province, as well as where crushing machinery has been introduced to deal with alluvial cemented drifts, is evidence that we are on the eve of an appreciable improvement, while, also, the experience of years is coining to our assistance, and with well applied machinery, coupled with judicious «nd economical management, there seems no reason to doubt other than an increased impetus to mining industry. We hope now that the Legislature will come to our assitence by abolishing the obnoxious Export Duty on gold. [Since the above ,r was written and in type, we learn by telegram that the Legislative Council have thrown out the Bill, which was passed through the •Rouse of Representatives.]