REPAYMENT OF GOLD DUTY.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 4132, 18 June 1874, Page 3

REPAYMENT OF GOLD DUTY.

The resolution passed by the Provincial Council of Otago as to the repayment of a proportion of duty to the exporters of gold was proposed by Mr. De Latour, and was carried after a discussion, which is thus briefly reported by the Times : —Mx-. De Latour moved, “That a respectful address be presented to his. Honor the Superintendent, praying that a sum be placed on the Supplementary Estimates for making repayments, at the rate of sixpence per ounce, to exporters of gold, the produce of the Province of Otago and the late Province of Southland, during the current year.” Mr. De Latour said it had been admitted in the House of Representatives that this was an unjust tax, and it would have been done away with had it not been for the impecuniosity of some Northern Provinces. He did not go so far as to say the duty should be done away with altogether, but only to such an extent as would leave an amount to cover the expenditure on the goldfields.—Mr. Gillies agreed with the honorable member that it was an exceptional tax, and had year after year voted for its abolition, but ho thought this would not accomplish its object, as it would give the benefit of the rebate to the Banks and not to the miner. The Banks could not accept this as permanent, and would continue to buy at the same rates as formerly.—Mr. Reid regretted he could not see his way to support this proposal, though he had supported a motion for reducing the gold duty. The reason why lie was in favor of reducing the gold duty was to allow of largo companies to carry on when they had to cut tilings very fine. This reduction would not benefit the working miner. Mr. Clarke spoke in favor of the reduction. The gold duty was a grievous injustice.— Mr. De Latour pointed out that with the Government exporting, as it did, gold for the miners, and the competition of the Banks, the miners would receive the benefit of the reduction. The now Colonial Bank would also aid the miner in getting the benefit of the reduction.—Mr. Gillies condemned the tax as iniquitous.—Mr. Pish supported the resolution. Tile House had affirmed the desirability of reducing the gold duty, and for the sake of consistency ho would support the motion. The minor would get the benefit of the reduction if it were made. The motion was earned on a division of 17 to 11. There voted—Ayes, 17 ; Bastings, Brown (J. C.), Browne (G. F. C.), Clark (R.), Daniel, Do Latour (teller), Fish (teller), Haggitt, Hazlett, Ireland, McKenzie, Oil vox-, Reeves, Rogers, Sumpter, Turtou, Wilson. Noes, 11 : Allan, Gillies (toller), Henderson, Lumsdou, Menzies, McLean, McNeil, Reid, Stout, Webster, Wood. In a paragraph referring to the debate on this question, the Times says ;—Mx-. Stout strongly opposed this roundabout partial rebate of gold duty, and when another matter was under consideration, after the xxxotion had been carried, said the motion that had beoxx carried amounted to a throwing away of £5,000, and that when hon. meixxbers found they could not get their roads and bridges mode, they would know who wore to blame.