THE GOLD DUTY.

Tuapeka Times, Volume V, Issue 249, 7 November 1872, Page 9

THE GOLD DUTY.

Now that every mining district of importance can boast of their Mining Associations, it would not, I gramme, 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 tlie Chinese Qicestions has proved to be labour lod — owing, I think, mainly to the weak resistance offered— l would draw tlieir attention to the Export Duty of 2s. 6d an ounce on gold, which I think is an unjust tax on tlieir labour. If the Treasury Offices are low, and need replenishing, why should owe class bear the brunt of all? Why not clxarge so much a bushel on wheat, oats, &c. ? or so much on presumed 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 tlie management of the Goldfields. For instance, the admirable roals we have constructed to the same; also the enormous expense of .paying one Warden, one Gold Receiver, one Glei'k of the Court, and three policemen to look after four or five 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 for tlie reduction of tn'uuirJ rigid* to. viui-half^ be drawn up, and twit or three delegates, occording to population, he appointed from each district, all of whom to meet in Dunedin on a day agreed vpon, to present the petitions. Let tliem be men who are determined to have justice done to their class. TJiey must not be put off with tlie worn out sop of " Oh ! we will see into the matter, and k't yon k)iow in a few weeks what can be done for you." Now is the time for every ~miner in the Province to rise tip against f7i.«s unjust imposition. Let them resolve, to agitate until it is .removed. If they but act in unison ani shoiva bold front, the Government dare not. wqlect their de.mnwh for tlieir rights. If that course should be of no avail, I would adoise them to lay in a stock of yinpoivder tea, tear- ■ ■ rattled to go off. Seniember J. Oox, Storekeper, Waipori. Down with Mo nopoly!— [Advt.]

Holloways Pitts —The -slightest inJi<^ position, so that it may not rapidly run its disastrous course from bad to worse, should engage the immediata attention of the afflicted of all classes. A few doses of these thoroughly . purifjipg and strengthening Pills will always be beneficial when the. least disorder reigns, or whon nervous fears oppress. Two or. three Pills at bedtime have the happiest effact in promoting .perfect digestion, whereby the jnuscles are rendered more vigorous, the spirits more buoyant, and the entire frame more hardy. Hollo way's medicine increases the quantity of nutriment derivable from a givou quantity of food, and ao the quality of the blood is improved, th» tone.of every fibre throughout the body is heightened, ani t'uo ctiapjsition to fall into disease is reduced to a minimum.