THE GOLD DUTY.

Tuapeka Times, Volume V, Issue 230, 27 June 1872, Page 9

THE GOLD DUTY.

If 1 no that every mining dittrict of imporfanrc can boast of their Mining Associations, it woidd not, I presume, be out of place to point oid away in ivhich they could confer a lading benefit on the miners of New Zealand. Since their agitation on the Ch i ncse Questions has proved to belabour loat — owing, I think, mainly to the weak resistance offered — I would draw ilieir attention to the Expoit Duty of 2s. Gt/, an ounce on gold, which I think is an unjust tax on their labour. If tlie Treasury Offices are loio, and need replenishing, why should one, class bear the bnmt of all ? Why 'not charge so much a bushel on wheat, oats, die. ? or so much on preserved merits ? in fact, put an export duty on all provincial produce, so tliat it will be dividi'd ? It xoill be answered that it is necessary to continue the Export ditty on gold to meet the extra cost entailed on Government for the management of the Goldfields. For instance, the, admirable roads we liave constmcted to the same; also the enormous expense of paying one Warden, one Gold Receiver, one Cleric of the Court, and three policemen to look after four or fioe districts, with a population of over four thousand. The revenue derived from miners' rights at one pound should be reduced at least to one-half. Applications, registrations of claims and water races mud be something considerable, not cnlculatinj the amount of dutiable goods consumed by miners, ivhich is more than an equivalent for all they receive. I would J suggest that petitions for the abolition of the Export Duty on gold, also for the reduction of miners' rights to one-lmlf, be drawn up, and two or three delegates, according to population, be appointed from eaoh district, all of wlwm to meet in Dunedin on a day agreed upon, to present tlie petitions. Let them b& men who are detemiined to have justice done to their class. They mud not be put off with the worn out sop of "Ohl we 10 Ul sec into the matter, and let yon knoio in a few weeks ivhat can be done for you. 1 ' Noio is the time for every miner in the Province to rise up against this unjust imposition. Let tlwm resolve to agitate until it is removed. If they but • act in unison and show a bold front, the Governmtnt dare not neglect tlieir demands for their rights. If that course should be of no avail, I xoould advise them to lay in a stock of gunpowder tea, warranted to go off. Remember J. Cox, Storekeeper, WaipoH. Down with Mo nopoly I — [ Advt. ]