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Thames Guardian and Mining Record, Volume I, Issue 26, 6 November 1871, Page 2

It will be seen by reference to the latest telegrams from the South that the present Parliamentary session at Wellington is drawing to a close. The Goldfields District Bill has passed. Considerable alterations have been made in the stamp duties ; a stamp of twopence on all bank cheques was carried by 40 to 14 after a very long debate, and a stamp of twopence on all receipts above £2. The import duty on cereals was cai-ried by 30 to 40; and we observe that a duty on timber has also passed. The following new duties were also passed: soap, os Gd per cwt.; malt, Is Gd per bushel; hops, 3d per lb. The duty on rice has been increased to a halfpenny per lb. Thus it will be seen that a very large increase has been made to the already very large amount of taxation. The revenue seems still to be decreasing, and the financial prospect before us cannot be regarded as encouraging. The Gold Districts Bill will effect material changes at the Thames, and it is doubtful whether the alterations made will be for the better. As we pointed out in a former issue, the Bill is framed evidently in the interest of the capitalist, and although there is no reason why the interest of the capitalist should be antagonistic to that of the miner, yet it is often thought that the two are not identical, and the effect of the new Bill will probably be to drive some of our miners away from the field, a result not at all to to be desired. The telegrams just received certainly contain no very cheerful news, for it is clear that wc shall all have to pay more taxes, and it by no means appears what corresponding benefits wo arc to receive. The Provincial Council is to meet on the 23rd instant, and if wc get our rights a considerable amount should be spent on the field in public works, and this seems to be about the only consolatory fact we can extract from the news lately received, The latest telegrams have reached us by way of Tauranga, and it is most satisfactory to find that Mr Mackay’s messenger has been allowed to pass unmolested from Tauranga to the Thames, by way of Ohinemuri, and that Greville and Co.’s telegrams now come through from Wellington direct. In a very short time we hope to see the wire stretched over the comparatively small space now intervening between the two points at which communication at present ceases. When this is bridged over a most important want will have been supplied, and the thanks of the whole country will be due to those by whose energy, perseverance, and tact with the natives this most desirable consummation has been brought about.