Tuapeka Times. AND GOLDFIELDS REPORTER AND ADVERTISER. THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 1872. "MEASURES NOT MEN."

Tuapeka Times, Volume V, Issue 240, 5 September 1872, Page 4

Tuapeka Times. AND GOLDFIELDS REPORTER AND ADVERTISER. THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 1872. "MEASURES NOT MEN."

A careful perusal, of the Gold Mining Bill has confirmed the opinion we expressed in our issue of the 15th inst. — that it is entirely unsuited to the goldfields of the Middle Island. Whoever framed it is either totally unacquainted .with, or has entirely ignored the interests of those who will be affected by it, and the piinciples which should regulate goldfields legislation. A more illiberal and oppressive enactment has scarcely ever been submitted to the representatives of any people. Reform in the administration of the goldfields is sadly needed; but if the Gold Mining Act, 1872, is reform, Heaven save us from it. The miners, groaning under the weight of oppressive taxation, cried to the House of Representative for relief, and their burdens are to be doubled. They asked to be released from the terrible officialdom which dogs their every step ; and it is, proposed to introduce a system of espionage and interference that would not be tolerated in Russia. Under the old Act the miners were chastisep with whips; under the new one they -are to be chastised with scorpions: By the taxation clauses it is intended to mulct the mining community of the Middle Island in about £50,000 per annum, at the least, in addition to what they are now paying. No wonder the Colonial Treasurer could afford to modify the stamp duty, and express his intention of supporting the bill to give effect to the resolution of the* House to take 6d. of the gold duty. If the Legislature determine to ley)' these additional imposts, one of two things will assuredly come to pass — those of the mining population who can will migrate to countries where they will not be plundered under the pretence of being governed, or the Government will have to maintain an army to collect the taxes. By the side of the enlightened and liberal spirit animating goldfields legislation in other countries, Mr. Gisborne's bill seems intended to stamp the fining industry: put, of existence. The creation of the office of Mining Inspector anc^ other ob"-

jectipriajble' qlaij&es .jye have/p^ej viou&ly" atjude& J to."* ' 'One "parT has not yet been publicly noticed — that relating to appeals from the Ward.ejft's.-Goui;t. . ..Clause 192 provides that appeals shall be in the form of a case agreed upon by both parties and their solicitors, and if they cannot agrpe, t}ie. Warden, on being appealed to by either paijty^ shall settle the case. This change wil| certainly save time, and be found to work satisfactorily in some cases ; feut it is desirable that the District Court should continue to retain the power at present possessed by it, of having the evidence in appeal cases. The part of the bill relating to mining on private Tah'd may work satisfactorily as far as freeholds are concerned ; but if the same method is. to be adopted in the case of agricultural leases, it cannot be accepted as a satisfactory solution of the question. The bill does not repeal the -clauses in the <Act,pf 1866 relating to agricultural leases. Should it pass in its present form, and the Otago Waste Lands Act also pass, there will be a delightfulfix — for the latter Act alsq deaUT with land in goldfields. The. C&ago Waste Lands Act also deals with water races and dams, and this will cause further complications. Lawyers ought to pray that the bill may become law, for, should such be the case, litigation to an enormous extent will be caused and provoked. The kind of reform in goldfields legislation. required by the miners, is in the direction of simplification. No Mining Act containing such fanciful provisions, and providing for such interference with mining operations, as that introduced by Mi*." Gisborne will be accepted as satisfactory ; and no law imposing such enormous taxation will be obeyed. The miners want j ustice — nothing more. And they also want to be relieved from the officialdom which is paralysing their energies and impeding their operations. " Fair dues " in the way of taxation, and rational legislation will render the miner, a source of increasing prosperity to the colony. Iniquitous and tyrannical measures like the Gold Mining Act, 1872, will, as we said before, either depopulate the goldfields or drive the miners, into rebellion. The miners are bestirring themselves to prevent the passing of the bill. If they succeed in their efforts, they will have averted a public calamity. Very little interest is manifested in the country districts in the -conflict now raging in the House of Representatives.* It is felt that the Opposition which has gathered under Mr. Stafford's banner is try-, ing to oust the Ministry on purely personal grounds. No question of policy .can possibly be involved, ast the reversal of the Immigration and Public Works policy would inevitably be attended with the most disastrous results. The Ministry have-*-been guilty of many sins of omission and commission, have exercised pa-> tronage in a questionable manner, and burdened the country b} r the. creation of useless offices. But the 1 provincialists, who form a large portion of the Opposition, are jparticvpes criminis.. To their machinations are attributable, »iii great measure, much unsatisfactory administration and many .needlessappointments. Besides, an effective.; Ministry cannot be formed out ofthe heterogeneous following of Mr. Stafford. The leader is an avowed enemy of provincialism, while hia principal supporters but recently 1 attempted to ' unseat the Yogel Government on account of its centralisttendencies. . The state of public. 1 opinion may be briefly stated. . .The present Ministry is distrusted ; the. Opposition is feared. No party in, the House possesses the confidence , of the country. The changes on F025 \ and Stafford . have been rung long* enough, and have cost tlie country quite sufficient money. The 'times' call for a new statesman — ; a' states-* man prepared to destroy proving cialism, to honestly administer theL 1 Government of the country, and to check the demoralisation which, created and fostered by our system of legislation^ fast spreading among the people.