THE THAMES PUMPING QUESTION.

Auckland Star, Volume XIX, Issue 141, 15 June 1888, Page 2

THE THAMES PUMPING QUESTION.

So far our efforts to secure attention to the affairs of the Thames Big Pump have been crowned with success. The Thames Drainage Board have, by a substantial majority, affirmed the principle we have advocated, and have ' embodied our proposals in a communication which is to be forwarded to the Government. We counted oh strong opposition to the project from the local bodies of the Thames, and we did not reckon without our host; there are human pumps at the Thames, thab exist by suction, of public funds, and it is only natural that, seeing their craft in danger, they should shout, "Great is Diana of the Ephesians," or rather "Great are the Thames Local Bodies —touch ye not their revenues."

TheseThamesauthorities havebeenso successful in the past in extracting money from all sorts of sources that the down trodden, over-taxed mining companies have entered but half-heartedly into the conflict for their rights, and they dread a defeat that might still further deminish the dole they receive from the Thames Borough, and County Councils. To the directors of those companies, who have neglected to supply certain information asked for from this office in connection with this pumping question, we would say : With a just cause you have nothing to fear, and must triumph in the end.

The struggle is now narrowed down to one of two issues. The gold duty is, and has always been, regarded as an irksome impost, and^t/he only excuse for its retention was that ifc was presumably devoted for the fostering of the mining industry. But for this specious claim, it would have been swept from the Statute Book long ago. At the present time, the miners of New Zealand have a better claim to its extinction than ever. The colony is on the eve of committal to a policy of protection, and gold-mining ia about the only industry that will. not participate therein ; for then, indeed, instead of being protected, their occupation is taxed. In the face of this, could any Government at tho present juncture refuse to admit the justice of a .demand for the repeal of the duty,«were it demanded by those interested in the mining industry? We think not. The principle we have laid down of the equity of the claim of these Thames mines to the duty for the maintenance of the Pump is freely admitted by those not biassed by participation in the. spoil, and the clear course open to the mine owners if the local bodies decline to accede to their just rights is to agitate for the repeal of the duty. This course would probably bring local authorities to see the justice of the claim, and would produce the desired result without any delay.