THE GOLD DUTY.

Tuapeka Times, Volume V, Issue 238, 22 August 1872, Page 9

THE GOLD DUTY.

Now that every mining district of importance can boast of their Mining Associations, it would not, I presume, be out of place to point out a way in which tliey could confer a lasting benefit on the miners of New Zealand. Since their agitation on the Chinese Questions has proved to be labour lost — owiug, I think, mainly to the weak resistance offered — I would draw their attention to the Expoit Duty of 2s. 6d an ounce on gold, which I think is an unjust tax on their labour. If the Treasury Offices are low, and need, replenishing, why should one class bear tlie brunt of all ? Why not charge so much a bushel on wheat, oats, <&c. ? or so much on preserved 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 liave constructed to tlie same; also the enormous expense of paying one Warden, one. Gold Receiver, one Clerk of the Court, andihree policemen to look after four or five districts, toith a populatiou of over four thousand. Tlie revenue derived from miners' rights at one pound should be reduced at least to one-half. Applications, registrations of claims and water races must be something considerable, not cnlculating the amount of dutiable goods consumed by miners, which is more than an equivalent for all they receive. I would suggest that petitions for the abolition of the Export Duty on gold, also for the 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 whom to meet in Dunedin on a day agreed upon, to present the petitions. Let tliem be men who are determined to have justice done to their class. They must not be put off with the worn out sop of "Oh! we wUI see into the matter, and let yon know in a few weeks xoluxt can be done for yw." Now is the time for every mmer 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 slww a bold front, the Government dare not neglect their demands for their rights. If that 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, Storekeeper, Waippri. Down with Mo ■nopoly f— [ Advt. ]