THE GOLD DUTY.

Tuapeka Times, Volume V, Issue 232, 11 July 1872, Page 9

THE GOLD DUTY.

" Nbio that cv n ,ry mining district of importance can bocibt of their Mining Associations, it would not, I presume, he out of place to point out a way in which they could confer a lasting benefit on thz miners of New Zealand. Since their agitation on the Chinese Questions hasprovedto belabour lobt owing, I think, mainly to the iveak resistance offered — J would draw their attention to tJie Expo)t Duty of '2s. 6d an oivncc on gold, which I think is an unjust tax. on their labour. If tlie Treasury Offices are low, and need replenishing, ivhy should one class bear the brunt of all ? Why not charge so much a bushel on xoheat, oats, <&c. ? or so much on 2>restrvsd 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 the Goldfields. For instance, the admirable roads we Jiave 'constructed to the same; also the enormous expense of paying one Warden, one Gold Eeceivsr, one Clerk of the Court, and three policemen to look after four or five districts, with a population, of over four thousand. The revenue derived from miners' rights at one pound should be reduceel at least to one-half. Applications, registrations of claims and wide)' races mud be something considerable, not calculating the amyunt of dutiable goods consumed by miners, which is more than an equivalent for all tliey receive. I would suggest that petitions for the abolition of the Export Duty on gold, also for the reduction of miners' Hghts to one-half, be drawn up, and two or three delegates, according to population, be appointel from each district, all of whom to meet in JDunedin on a day agreed upon, to present the petitions. Let tliem be men who are determined to have justice done to their clais. They must not he put off zoith tlie 'worn out sop of " Oh ! we will see into the matter, and let yon know in a few weeks w\at can be done for you." Now is the time for eviry miner in the Province to rise up against this unjust imposition. Let them resolve to agitate until it is removed. If they but act in unison and shoio a bold front, the Government dare not neglect their demands for their rights. If tliat course should be of no avail, I would advise them to ' lay in a stock of gunpowder tea, warranted to go off. -Remember' J. Cox, i Storekeeper, Waipori. Doioh with Mo ntyoly !-~[\dvt.]