ABOLITION OF THE GOLD DUTY

Mount Ida Chronicle, Volume VI, Issue 344, 8 October 1875, Page 3

ABOLITION OF THE GOLD DUTY

The f 'How ing is a condensed telegram, giving a synopsis of the debate on the second reading of the Bill introduced by Sir George Grey. The effect of ihe .Bill if carried would have been to at once repeal the 2s. charged on every ounce of gold : —" Major Atldason considered the abolition of the gold duty would in no way benefit the class of people en whose behalf this bill was apparently framed, and that its provisions and effects -had not been sufficiently- Thought out. There might hvae been some show of reason for such a bill when the gold duly was applied to the general purposes of a whole Province, hut none whatever now that it was wholly spent in the district whence it was derived, 'ihe revenue for gold duty was required for -mads, &e. 4 in the Gf-lriSelds, and if it was repealed n tax must be leviid to supply lis place. The Gold Jidda members should tell their con-

slituenfs that they will roc-ire £2 ft r every £i raised by the gold. duty. The limii gentleman quotod from a lelegrui' just received from (he Thames, appret= ing of (ho stand the Government liad taken in opposing tlie repeal of the gold duty, Mr. Shepherd thought that next session the gold duly would be abolished, but. tfrcs ;iot in favor of its immediate repeal. He would, however support the second 'reading of tne bill, in the hope ofthereby gUl'ing more votes for his own bill.

Mr. Luckic thought this question of abolition na> more an idea than a reality. He said the Thames was perhaps the best representative district of the mining interest in New Zealand, and that the Press, as a mle, represented Ihe opinions of the'' people in the districts in whieh it existed. He then referred to an nrficls in tlie ' Thames Advertiser,' eondeiniiSag the 1 action of Sir George Grey in attempting to abolish tlie tax: just as the district was about to derive some benefit from it; If such a bill as Sir George Grey'a were passed it would do serious injury to the district, causing a loss of some £9,000 an--nualH, and « hatever damaged one district would injure, in the same proportion every gold district in the colony. Mr Bradshaw would support the bill, a s he considered the tax a vicious one, and one which militated against the prosperity of the Goldfields. Mr. O'Neill would strongly support the bill. He looked upon the. tax as a most unjust one, and had voted for its reduction since 1867. When they recollected that £30,000,000 had been exported from the Goldfields, they ought to bear in miud that. some consideration was due to those men who had done that work. Sir George Grey thanked Mr. Shepherd for giving way to him by allowing his bill to take precedence. [Referring to the remarks of the Colonial Treasurer, he said he had devoted over a year to reflection on the subject, and thought he had given it as able a consideration as had tlie Colonial Treasurer. At & large meetiug of 'miners and ratepayers at the Thames, no objection wis raised to the abolition of the Gold duty. As to the subsidy of £2 to £l, it was a mem fallacy. The endowment (falsely so called) proposed to be given to miners had first been taken from them. Leave the subsidy (said the hon. gentleman) and the gold duty in their own pockets, and raise the revenue from those who ought [to contribute it. The great requirement" was that those persons should be taxed who now escaped taxation. He asked simply forequaljustice for all. Let them introduce a system of equitable taxation and good government by a wholesale system of economy instead of that flagrant waste and extravagance which now obtained. Major Atkinson laughed, but (continued the' lion, gentleman derisive laughter woul l-nbfc-affect him (Sir G- Grey). The Colonial Treasurer knew he was assisting to promote an unjust system of taxation in this country.'. He knew moreover, that he was aiding others to squander the public revenues and public estates. Jeers and laughter would make no impressiom upon him while he was slating those truths, truths which would be recognised throughout the Colony before long. Ho felt that he represented the true feeling of Goldfields with which he was most intima'ely acquainted. He might be defeated on this measure, .but those who recorded their votes "with him would have their names recorded as .the benefactors of their fellow countrymen. He would refer the question to a division, in order that it might bo seen who were with him. ■ On a division, the list showed—Ayes, 18; noes, 27. MR. SHEPIIEBDS BILL. Mr. Shepherh then moved the second reading ot v the Gold Duty Abolition Bill, No. 1, providing for a reduction of the gold duty to Od. per ounce. Air. Harrison would oppose the Bill. If the revenue were laken away with the subsidy with which it was proposed to supplement that revenue, the effect would bo most disastrous upon the Goldfields. Mr. Whito supported, the measure.. In all advanced countries the tax was not: imposed. On the question being put, a divisou was taken, and the Bill thrown-out by 28 to 14,