THE MINING CONFERENCE.

Evening Star, Issue 3059, 7 December 1872, Page 2

THE MINING CONFERENCE.

[BV OCR REPORTER.] Wednesday, December 4. The Conference resumed its sittings at 6.30 p.m., when the question of the establishment of a Provincial Miners Association was brought forward. Mr Alexander said the suggestions of the Mining Commission held a couple of years ago in Dunedin had been ignored by the Government. The same fate might attend any resolutions passed by the Conference, and it behoved them to use every endeavour to secure that proper weight should be attached to the result of their labors. He moved that au Association, to be called'the Otago Mining Association, be formed, such Association to comprise all the miners in the Province, and that a central committee or executive be appointed, to consist of a President, Secretary, ■ or Treasurer, to watch ‘the (joprse of legislation affecting the legislation, and to transact the general business of the Miners Associations. He thought it was advisable to federalise the various associations that the members of the central committee should represent different localities, and that its sittings should alternate among the various centres of population on the goldfields. Mr Ferres was of opinion that the present arrangement of local associations was sufficient. If union was required, communication by letter would secure that. Mr Grey thought a central committee sitting for the present at Lawrence would be desirable, Mr A li.an, in seconding the motion, observed the goldfields felt the want of some

body to urge their wants upon the Government, and of some recognised body wmen the Government could consult regarding mining legislation, and obtain information from. , Mr Morrison said that combination was required among the miners. Iheie was a widely-spread feeling of insecurity, which would continue until an organisation like the one proposed was brought one operation. The miners wanted protection against legislation such as had been iu vogue ; and by forming a powerful central committee, they would be able to do it, and influence the course of all mining legislation. Mr Orombie, Mr Anderson, and Mr Cawdwcll spoke iu favor of the formation of a central committee, but were not agreed as to its constitution ami mode of working. The Chairman suggested that those present should take the matter into their own hands, and form an executive from their number. He also stated that efficient machinery should be provided and paid for. Mr tiHAW also expressed himself in favor of the formation of a cen'ral committee. The Chairman stated that up to the present time the Arrow Association had transacted the business of the goldfields. _ A lengthy discussion, in which the advantages and disadvantages of having a committee composed of members all from a particular locality were adverted to, ensued. Ultimately, the debate was adjourned till the next sitting. Mr liDftAR, the delegate appointed by the Upper Shotover Mining Association was now introduced by the Chairman, Mr Gray moved that iu the opinion of the Conference the gold duty should be at once abolished, and that every influence to secure the accomplishment of that object be brought to bear. He considered the gold duty tax a direct robbery. >n early times it might have been required, but was now unnecessary. He now adverted to the fact that it was a tax put upon industry, and illustrated his position by showing that a wealthy landowner drawing 140,000 a-year contributed less to the Colonial revenue than the miner who was earning a bare subsistence. The motion was seconded by Mr Alexander. Mr Morrison said that one of the most eminent statesmen iu the country had said the gold duty was indefeasible. Why then was it not swept away ? It was no use to go in for half-measures on this point; let the Conference urge the total and immediate abolition of the unjust and impolitic tax. Mr Crombie said a tax on metals was unknown in nature and ruinous in practice ; enlightened nations had long ago abandoned such imposts. The motion was carried unanimously.

Mr IS haw, by permission of the Conference, drew attention to the state of the law regarding mining on Crown lands outside the goldfields. He instanced a case heard before the •Switzer’s Warden (Mr Wood) recently. A ■miner named Boldt, in prospecting, sunk some holes on a run belonging to Mr M‘Nab, at the Waikaka. That gentleman objected to mining on the land held by him under pastoral lease, and laid a complaint against Boldt. The case was first brought up at Tapanui, from which place it was adjourned to Switzer’s. E ddeuce on both sides was adduced, and legal arguments brought under the notice of the Warden who decided under clause 126 of the Goldfields Act, 1866, that the defendant was guilty of trespass, and inflicted a fine of LI, with L 5 bs 6d costs with the alternative of a month’s imprisonment. It would thus be seen that prospectibg for new goldfields, which the General Government was actually almost offering a reward for discovering, was treated by a Goldfields Warden as a crime, and punished aceordingly. The Switzers Mining Association was not aware of the facts qf the case at the time, but on receiving jhtjmaffiqn of them, wrote to Mr Bradshaw, then Spqre: tary for the Goldfields, explaining the whole matter. That gedfcleman sent a reply to the effect that he considered the Warden had decided erroneously, and that Clause 87 of the Goldfields Act 1866 empowered miners to prospect on any Crown lauds a bit outsidn of goldfields. He concluded a very sensible speech by asking the Conference to express their opinion on the subject, and might conclude by stating that the Switzers Mining Association wished the watershed of the Waikaka annexed to the goldfields. Mr Mobbilon moved that the Conference recommend that the fine and costs paid by Mr boldt be repaid, and that he be recompensed for the trouble he has been put to. It was evident if the Warden was right the law was wrong, and vice vevsa, ; and in the latter case it was time it was amended. Mr Cawdwell seconded the motion, which was carried. At eleven o’clock, the Conference adiourned.