THE GOLD DUTY.

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 214, 7 March 1872, Page 7

THE GOLD DUTY.

Now that every mining district of importance can boast of their Mining Associations, it would not, we presume, be out of place to point out a way in which they could confer a lasting benefit on tJie miners of New Zealand. Since their agitation on the Cliinese Question has proved to be labour hbi — owing, we think, mainly to the weak resistance offered — we ivould draw their attention to tlie Export Duty of 2s. 6d. an ounce on gold, which we think is an unjust tax on tlieir labour. If the Treasury Offices are loio, and need replenishing, why should one class bear the biiint of all ? Why not charge so much a bushel on wJieat, oats, <£c. ? or so much on pi'eserved meats ? in fact, put an export duty on all provincial produce, so that it will be divided ? It will be answered that it is necessary to continue the Export duty on gold to meet the extra cost entailed on Government for the management of tlie Goldfields. For instance, the admirable roads we have constructed to the same ; also tlie enormous expense of paying one Warden, one Gold Receiver, one Clerk of tlie Court, and three policemen to look after four or five districts, with a population of over four thousand. The revenue derived from minets 1 rights at one pound slionld be reduced at least to one-half. Applications, registration's of claims and water races must be something considerable, not calculating the amount of dutiable goods consumed by miners, which is more than an equivalent for all they receive. We- would suggest that petitions for the abolition of the Export Duty on gold, also for tlie reduction of miners' rights to one-half, be drawn up, and two or three delegates, according to population, be appointed from each district, all of xvlwm to meet in Dunedin on a day agreed upon, to present the petitions. Let them be men who are determined to have justice done to tlieir class, Theg must not be put off with the worn-out sop of "Oh I we will see into tlie matter, and let you know in a few weeks what can be done for you.'' 1 Noiv is tlie time for every miner in the Province to rise up against this unjust imposition. Let them resolve to agitate until it is removed. It they but act in unison and show a bold ■ front, tlie Government dare not ncglecl tlieir demands for fjfieir rights: If that course should be of no avail, we would advise them to lay in a stock of gunpowder tea, war ranted to go off. Remember Cox Bros., Storekeepers, Waipori. Down with Mo-> nopoly ! — [At>vt.]

Strangers paying a visit to Dunedin are often at a loss to hioio what it the best establishment to visit for the purchase of drapci~y and clothing. Herbert, Haynes, ami Go. offer special advantages to the public that can be met with nowhere else in the city. They keep at all times the largest and best assorted stock of every class of goods, imported direc* from the leading manufacturers and warehousemen at home, which being bought entirely upon cash terms, they are enabled to offer goods of such sterling value as cannot be equalled by any other house in the trade. Every article in stock is marked at a fixed price far ready money, from which no abatement is ever made, so tlutt the most inexperienced buy tfieir goods at the same prices as tJie best judges. The terms are — net cash, without discount or reductions of any kind. A fuller description of their stock ivill be found in an advertise ment on the third page of this paper, -m [Advt.]