(From the Otago Witness.) MELBOURNE DUTY ON OUR GOLD!

Colonist, Volume IV, Issue 415, 15 October 1861, Page 3

(From the Otago Witness.) MELBOURNE DUTY ON OUR GOLD!

We were wont to look up to our Melbourne neighbors as much farther advanced in commercial ideas than we were, but our faith has received a violent shock. We learn by the last mail from thence that the Executive have determined that Otago gold cannot be transhipped at Melbourne without being subjected to a duty of 2s. 6d. As this was not charged upon the first parcel shipped, from Otago, the effect has been to involve the banks, which have purchased gold and exported it to Melbourne, in a considerable loss, amounting to some thousands of pounds. The idea of charging a duty upon gold brought from New Zealand for transhipment is so monstrous that we wonder that it was entertained for one moment. We suppose it will bo pleaded that the law compels siu.li a course, Mr. Aspiaal, the Attorney-General, having in fact given such an opinion. Without questioning that gentleman's legal abilities, we can only say that it appears to us that if such be the correct reading of the law, as the statute under which the Melbourne Export duty is charged also subjects captains of ships to penalties for gold water-borne (carried by sea) without being in charge of a customs officer, the Melbourne authorities had better put the cap on their proceedings by indicting the masters of ships for a breach of the law in bringing up the gold.

If the law is imperative upon the point, surely, it would have been sufficient to have taken bonds from the exporters, and have amended the statute at the earliest opportunity. The Melbourne people can never be so insane as to intend to charge a duty on the transhipment of our gold. Not only is the injustice of such a thing manifest, but such a policy would be suicidal, tending, of course, to deprive Melbourne of the advantage of the iiade with Otago. The gold sent there will, in all probability, come back in the shape of merchandise of some sort; and, viewed in its true light, (.ho discovery of a paying gold-field in Otago will indirectly benefit Melbourne. For a considerable time, at least, we shall be under the necessity of drawing supplies from thence—until, in fact, our trade is sufficient to make our communication with the home country as frequent as it is with Victoria. When that time arrives, what course the Melbourne Government may choose to take wilinot affect us; but the course now adopted will of course hasten that period, as it is not likely that the community of Otago will submit to be taxed for benefit of Melbourne without making an effort io relieve itself. Oui" trade with that port has already been considerable. We supplied her with oats and potatoes as long as there was a demand at paying prices. We have purchased steamers from her, and have, to a limited extent, helped to relieve her of her overstocked markets. Iv fact, no port in the Australian colonies—not excepting those of the sister Province of New Zealand—has derived so much advantage from our prosperity as she has done ; and nothing but the most shoitsited greed could suggest the adoption of a course which must tend to stop the connexion. How the Government of New South Wales will act in reference to this matter we do not know; but the policy of Victoria affords an opportunity for Sydney, by a more liberal course, to open a connexion which she has once or twice attempted, but without success.