THE GOLD DUTY.

Tuapeka Times, Volume V, Issue 244, 3 October 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 tJiey could confer a lasting benefit on the miners of New Zealand. Since tlieir agitation on the Chinese Questions has proved to be labour lout — owiug, I think, mainly to the weak resistance offered — I would draio'their attention to the Expott Duty of 2s. 6d an ounce, on gold, which I think is' an unjust^ fax on their labour. If the Treasury Offices are low, and need replenishing, why should one class bear the brunt of all ?> j \W\vy not charge so much a bushel on tvheat, oats, &c. ? or so much on preserved meats ? in fact, put an export duty on all provincial produce, so that it will be divided f l L Jt will be answered tliat it is necessary to continue tflcExport duty on,- gold .topneet. t,he_extra cost entailed on Government for the management of the Gdldfields. For instance, the admirable roads we Jiave canslvifcted to tlie same; also the enqrmous expoise of paying one Warden, one Gold Receiver, one Clerk 6f the Court, and th'rek policemen to look after four or five, districts, with a populatioii of over four thousand. ' The revenue derived from-Tniners 1 rights at one pound should be reduced at leastto one-half. Applications, registrations of v claims dnd water races must be something considefable, not cnlculatiiig the amount ofdisia.ble goods consumed by miners, which is more than an equivalent for all they receive. I would suggest that petitions for tlie abolition of the ExpoH Duty on gflld, also for the reduction of miners' rights to one-lialf, be drawn up, and two or three delegates, according to population," he appointed from each district, all of xohom to meet in Dunedition a day agreed itppn, to present the petitions. Let- them be' men who are determined to have justice done to their class. They must not be put off- ivith the worn out sop of "Oh! we will see into the matter, and let ifbn know in a fexbideehi what ccatn t he .'.done .for you>' r "-Nhv is the time -for \ every miner in the Province to rise < upagainst this iinjnst imposition. Let themi resolve to agitate until it is removed.i If th&j but act in twtisdn and'.'showa 6oZtq front, the Government dare not neglect their \ demands for their rights. If that course 1 ' should be of no avail, I would advise them\ to lay in a stock- of gunpowder tea, war- 1 ranted to go off. Remember J. Cox,' Storelxeper, Waipori. Down with Mo nopoly!— [Advi.J

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