KAURI GUM INDUSTRY ACT
(To the Editor.)
Sir,—After six months' trial the Kauri Gum Industry Act has in many respects proved a dismal failure. The only good done has been to somewhat check the Austrian influx. But the license clause has proved a farce; its collection has not been universal, and some county councils have refused to collect it; whilst n has been evaded wholesale. The cause of this is very plain. The occupation of gumdigging differs from all other employment, a great' number of men going at it occasionally to tide over a period of unemployment at other callings.
This class of digger could not fairly be expected to pay the license fee of £1 for a week or two's work. ■■
Then ag-ain we have the case of the Maoris, everybody knows that they dig periodically and collectively; you find very few natives digging every day throughout the year, yet the Act insists on them paying the license fee (£1) all the same, men, women, and children. . Needless to say, in a great many cases, they evade the Act. It .is unnecessary to refer to the clumsy text of this Act, the difference of -legal opinion being divided as to whether the fee is 5/ or £1; some counties are charging 5/ and some £1. So much for the workmanship. displayed by our Legislature on this Act. These facts must be borne in upon the Government and call for speedy amendment. The avowed object of the Act (helping the British digger) has failed, it has added to his burdens,, and has been harassing to everyone connected with the gum trade, the only good done being to somewhat check the Austrian influx, and squeeze a few pounds into the exchequers of our county councils. In the view of all these facts, the Government must, come to know that "the only equitable way of taxing the gum industry (if; taxing is desired) is to put an export duty on gum. This would meet the case, j and hit fairly all round.
The restrictions and qualifications to remain on aliens as before.—l am, etc., JUSTICE..
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Auckland Star, Volume XXX, Issue 159, 7 July 1899, Page 2
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353KAURI GUM INDUSTRY ACT Auckland Star, Volume XXX, Issue 159, 7 July 1899, Page 2
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