The Tuapeka Times. SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 1869. "Measures, not Men."

Tuapeka Times, Volume II, Issue 91, 6 November 1869, Page 3

The Tuapeka Times. SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 1869. "Measures, not Men."

The great influx of Chinese during the past few months has opened up afresh several intricate political problems. The great encouragement offered by the Otagan authorities to the Mongolians proves that they at any rate are inclined to look upon these temporary visitants as decided acquisitions. We hesitate in supporting this opinion, when we consider that the settlement of the country is in no degree advanced by the Chinese, that in fact a present increase of revenue is only secured by an absolute sacrifice of capital ; but a matter of more immediate importance demands our full attention. It must be evident to all that the European miners are being gradually driven out by their Tartar rivals, and that the development of our agricultural resources is seriously impeded by the much greater license allowed Chinese than was ever accorded European prospectors. We have consistently advocated the encouragement of prospecting, but it was prospecting of a systematic kind, and not the hap-hazard fossicking and destructive burrowing with which the Chinese lay waste some of the best agricultural land in the district. 'Even within the township they indulge in -their injurious practises, and apparently with an impunity that would certainly not attend such conduct on the part of the European. For the sake of both agriculturists and miners, we strongly urge the necessity of a code, of regulations applicable to the Chinese, and restricting them to the only kind of ground they can work with advantage to the- Province—we mean ground that would not pay Europeans to work. If the European miners strenuously exert themselves to have such a code drawn up, they will no longer be exposed to claimjumpers, who answer all expostulations by a "no sabey," and who are in too high favour with the ruling powers to be dealt with as roughJy as they deserve. The lease- , holders, whose case is one of great hardship, will do well to aid the miners in their efforts, and thereby save.themselves from the utter ruin the Chinese invasion threatens. If Government acted in a sensible manner, a provision would at once be made to have all existing leases prospected by experienced miners, who could do their work with little injury to property, and, if no payable gold were discovered, a certificate vouching to that fact would serve as an additional safeguard to the farmer. If payable ground were struck, the compensation provided by the act would satisfy all parties. 4.s it is, leaseholders are utterly at the mercy of the most clumsy and destructive class of miners, from whom they . can neither hope for consideration or mercy. We fear, however, that as usual nothing will be done—little can indeed be expected from a body ike the Keid Ministry.