THE GOLD DUTY.

Tuapeka Times, Volume V, Issue 247, 24 October 1872, Page 9

THE GOLD DUTY.

Nmo that every mining district of importance can boast of their Mining Associations, it would not, I premme, be out of place to point out a way in which they could confer a lasting benefit on the miners of New Zealand. Since their agitation on the Chinese Questions hai proved to be labour hbt — owiug, I think, mainly to the weak resistance offered — J would draw their attention to the Expoit Duty of 2s. Qd an ounce on gold, tohich 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 f Why not charge so much a bush-el on wheat, oats, i&c. ? or so viuch on preserved meats ? in fact, put an export duty on all provincial produce, so that' it will be divided? It xoill 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, ihc admirable roads- we have constructed to tfa same; pteo the enormous exjwnse. of paying one Warden, one Gold Receiver, one Clerk of the Court, ani three policemen to look' after four or fivz districts, with a population, of over four thousand. The revenue derived from miners' 1 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 fo) 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 them be men who are detemiined to liave justice done to their class. They must not be put off with the worn out sop of "Oh I we will see into the matter, and let yon know in a few weeks what can be done for you." Noio is the time for every miner in the Province to rise up against this unjust imposition. Let then resolve to agitate until it is removp.d. If tJiey but act in unison and show a bold front, the Government dare nof neglect their demands for their" rights'.' If that course should be of no avail, I would advise tiiem to lay in a stock of gunpowder tea, warranted to go off. Remember J. Cox, Storekeeper, Waipori. Down toith Mo nopaly f— f Abvt. j

A perfect paradise — Our friend Uorrowby, who is always leas or more out at elbows is deeply interested in a new work on "The Great Loan Land," aud.has serious thonSlita of emigrating to ijo defcifable a country, if he can r^ise the \neaua.

Out in the Apache- country the Indiana are said to have fcecome^ao peac-jable thj-t it is hfvvd to tell a rddsklfc 3r»m a white man ; the only* difference btji&g, th*t the whit«-a3UulW3>ai» no scalp, andtae \pacho has twe or VffW- ■ The Bodk-f or padestrians - IValkev'* dwtjfojwy, '".