GOLDFIELDS MATTERS

Kumara Times, Issue 2570, 17 September 1884, Page 2

GOLDFIELDS MATTERS

THE PREMIER'S REPLY.

[From the Parliamentary Correspondent of the West Coast Times.]

Wellington, September 15. There was a meeting of the goldfields members held this morning to consider the answer by the Premier to the representations made to him on mining matters; present—Pyke (chair), O'Conor, Cadman, Hursthouse, Fraser, Cowan, .Richardson, Menteath, Seddon, Bevan, J. C. Brown, and J. B. White. The following are the contents of the letter:—

" Government Offices, Wellington, September 11th :—Gentlemen—l have the honor to state that the Government have carefully considered the matters submitted to them by you during our recent interview. The most important of these matters is, undoubtedly, whether the gold duty is to be abolished or reduced, because in either case the local revenue in counties must be affected. The Government regret they cannot see their way to supplement these revenues by grants from the consolidated fund or the public works fund, and they are unable at present, therefore, to assist in abolishing the gold duty, unless they can be satisfied that all the local bodies concerned desired the abolition, and are willing and able themselves to make good the losb of revenue that would result. As to the reduction of fees for miners' rights and business licenses, the Government will not object to the proposals contained in Mr Seddon's bill. The Government think the suggestions as to the periodical shifting of Wardens is a reasonable one, and they will endeavour to give effect to it as far as regard for the efficiency of the service will permit. Tha question as to fees for registration, transfers, etc., will be carefully considered during the recess, and if found possible the scale will be remodelled. Sums will be placed on the estimates as aids to prospecting, and rewards for the discovery of new fields. With respect to having existing claims spotted upon maps in the Wardeu's offices, instructions will be given to have the work done, if It should be found that the cost will be small. Inquiries will be made as to -what can be done to carry out the wish of the deputation that lectures on mineralogy should be delivered in different districts by experts. The Government propose to ask the House for the necessary power to appoint a Minister of Mines. The other matters submitted to me by the deputation, such as aids for road works, will be found to be provided for in the estimates.—l have, etc., Robert Stout. To Vincent Pyke, Esq., M.H.R., and other Representatives of Goldfields of New Zealand."

In addition to the letter the Premier also seut a draft copy of a bill in which it was provided that the gold dnty should only be abolished upon fivesixths of the local bodies passing a resolution asking the Governor to bring the act into force; also that power be given, on the gold duty being abolished, to rate milling property. If the Premier intended the bill to cause dissension amongst the goldh'elds members it had the desired effect with a veDgeance, for there were not any two members who agreed upon what course should be pursued, and an unseemly wrangle ensued. The member for the Buller moved that the matter be postponed until the Government had famished each goldfields member with a copy of the bill. The Chairman explained that the bill was simply a draft from the lawoffice, and upon which tho Premier desired an expression of opinion. Mr Seddon moved an amendment thaUhe draft Gold Duty Bill proposed by the Hon, the Premier, having been

considered at this meeting of goldfields members, the Chairman be iustuucted to intimate to the Premier that its provisions are not such as to command their approval—(l) Seeing there would be no possibility whatever of five-sixths of the local bodies interested agreeing to the abolition of the duty on gold°; (2) That it is impossible to fairly assess and rate mining property. In moving the amendment, he stated that he desired the goldfields members to work in unanimity with eacli other, otherwise all the efforts of the past in getting the gold duty abolished would be lost. He also read an abstract which had been telegraphed to the West Coast Times and purporting to be au account of what took place between the Premier and the goldfields members on Saturday week. Mr Seddon said he had beard on good authority that two goldhelds members had done the special correspondent business, and, if present, he would feel obliged if they would admit the paternity- if silent, they were ashamed of being guilty of such a gross libel upon himself. If treachery of that kind was to be tolerated it would not be safe for the goldfields members to meet in caucus.

None present replied to the question put, and the matter dropped. Mr Men teath seconded the motion, which, on a division, was lost. After considerable discussion, Mr Menteath moved another amendment to the effect that the goldfields members having considered Mr Stoat's bill, do not feel themselves at liberty to recede from the position they have urged upon the House, viz., that the gold duty is unjust, and therefore they cannot in the interests of justice agree with any measure which leaves the unjust tax at the mercy of the local bodies. Mr O'Conor objected to this amendment and urged that the goldfields members had no right to refuse to consider the draft bill, for he considered that the Legislature had no right to abolish the gold duty without the consent of the local bodies who were interested.

To this the member for Kumara replied that the gold duty in that case would never be abolished.

An acrimonious debate followed, and ultimately Mr Menteath's amendment was carried on the voices.

After the meeting some rather plain speaking occurred between the members for Buller and Knmara, and each expressed anything but flattering remarks of tha other. Ultimately the "Bnller Lion," beat a retreat, considering discretion the better part of valour. September 16. The Goldfields' Committee held a meeting this morning. The first business was the consideration of the Gold Duty Abolition Bill. The Bill was amended by adding the conditions, that local bodies must be consenting parties, before the Act can come into operation. During the discussion that ensued on the amendment, an altercation took place between the member for the Buller and the versatile and experienced member for the Dunstan, Mr Vincent Pyke, who is the Chairman of the Goldfields Committee. On the Chairman saying that the frequent interruptions prevented him from conducting business in a proper manner, Mr O'Conor, in an offensive manner, interrupted by saying, " Leave the chair and we will get another Chairman." On the Chairman threatening to report the matter to the Speaker order was restored and the business proceeded.