THE GOLD DUTY.

Tuapeka Times, Volume V, Issue 248, 31 October 1872, Page 9

THE GOLD DUTY.

Noio that every mining district of im~ parlance can boast of tlbcir Mining Associations, it would not, I presume, be out of place to point out a ivcuj in ivhich they could confer a lasting benefit on the miners of New Zealand. Since their agitation on the Chinese. Questions has proved to be labour lod — firing, I think, mainly to the weak resistance offered— l vjonld draw their attention to the Expoit Daly of 2s. 64 ««■ ounce on gold, which I thinh is an mijntt tax on their labour. If the Treasury Offices' are. low, ami need replenishing, wJiy should ope class bear the brunt of all ? Why not ■charge so much a bushel on ivheat, oats, iSic. ? 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 necessanj to continue the Export duty on gold w meet the extra cost entailed on Government for the management of the Gol Ifidtte. For instance, the admirable roa Is irn. have constructed to tne same ; at. to the oior.nous expense of paying one Warden, one Gold Receiver, one Clerk of the Court, aivl three policemen .to look-after four or fids diibriiU,*with a population of over four thousand. The revenue derived from miners' rights at one pen id 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 tlmn an equivalent for all they receive. J, toould suggest that petitions for the abolition of the Export Duty on gold, also for the reduction of mintr.i' right* to one-half, be drawn up, and twj or three dde-gates, according to population, be appointed from each district, all of whom to mid, in Lhin- . edition a day agreed upon, to present. the petitions. ' Let them be men to'io- are determined to have justice dojte to their class. They mutt not be put off vnth the worn out sop of "Oh! we will see into the, matter, and let yon know in a few weeks what can be done for you." Now is the time for every miner injhs Province to rise up against this imjiiit imp isitiuii. Let them reso J vc % to agitate until it is removed. If tliey but act in unison and show a' bold front, the Gocernrmut dare not neglect their demands for their rights. If thai ejurse should be of no avail, I would a.hlse them to lay in a stock of gunpowder ten, warranted to go off. Remember J. Cox, Storekeeper, IVa',p<n'i. Down with Mo .