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Grey River Argus, Volume XIV, Issue 1694, 8 January 1874, Page 2

There are not wanting, at the present time, indications that the inhabitants of other part&of the Colony than the Goldfields are awakening to some sense of the importance of that industry which they l haVe so long neglected, and not only noglect^d.but positively obstructed by the stupid and inefficient legislation of their representatives. In times past it might

have been supposed by any stranger in the gallery of our House of Assembly on the occasion of a debate on Goldfielcls matters, that the discussion was notconcerningjthe second most lucrative industry in the Colony,' and the one which employed the greatest number of people, but concerning some pursuit of little account monetarily, but which, people were insane enough to follow, although it tended directly to the demoralization and commercial ruin of the Colony -a pursuit which it was to the interests of the colonits, nay, their bounden duty, aa civilised settlers, to smother^if possible. For the last two years, however, there have been clear signs that a revolution is gradually taking place in the ideas of those enlightened folks, the squatters and farmers of the Colony, on the subject of the G-oldfields, and we believe, if the miners would now arouse themselves from that lethargy of despair into which their long and fruitless struggle against the neglect of their fellow-colonists and their errors of legislation have thrown them, there would be a fair chance of obtaining a thorough review of tHe Goldfields -^laws, and a reform where it might be deemed necessary. There has no doubt in years gone been every discouragement thrown upon such an undertaking, and it was not without reason that miners arrived at the conclusion that it was useless to expect any redress from the Colonial Parliament. This, however, was under the old do- < nothing rSgime t from which New Zealand has most fortunately succeeded in freeing itself. The great interest which the j present Government has shown in goldmining, -the votes for water-races, the rewards . for prospectors, the assistance granted to Westland, sufficiently vindicate ;.it from the accusation of participating in the feelings Hof the " squatting " Governments which, formerly ruled the Colony. The difficulty which really has to be encounteredan the matter, , and one which it is easy to see muse render any Government very careful of the way in which it interferes with goldrmining, is that there is no general agreement amongst the miners themselves, as to the direction which they desire the reforms to take. All that they are agreed about is that the present laws are cumbersome, ineffectual, and in many cases oppressive. The consequence of this want of defined views on the subject has been^that those who undertook to bring the grievances of miners before Parliament, and to draft Bills for their removal, have as a rule failed ignonriniously, their proposed measures being for the most part of a theoretical character, and as likely to increase as to abate the evils complained of. We believe that this subject will never be comprehensively dealt with, and the gold-mining industry placed in its proper position, not as a transient and precarious pursuit for a few, but as a source of wealth to the Colony equally permanent with our coal and iron deposits, and one which should therefore be considered from; a broad Colonial point of view, unless a Royal Commission is appointed to visit the .several mining districts, and roport gp.nerally Upon the pnssibilit.ie.* nf further developing the industry, the works and expenditure necessary to that end. and the le^al enactments which woulcl best^promote it. The expense of such 'a commission, if it did its work thoroughly —rand otherwise it would, be. useless-f---would no doubt be considerable; and its labors would extend over a rateer long period. The evidence of mining experts, of engineers and others in many localities, would have to be taken, and sifted, before a report could be drawn up, and it is doubtless on. account of these things that, this most necessary work has so long been deferred. We are convinced, however,, that the beneficial results which would accrue would far more than warrant the expenditure and trouble. At present thje industry throughout the Colony may be said to be on the balance between further advancement and decline. The decline appears imminent, because, without the expenditure of more capital than they, can command unassisted, the miners are unable to work three-fourths of the known auriferous country, and the races which are now in course of construction, of vast service though they will be, will bear rio comparison with all that is required. As regards quartz-mining, it is yet in its early infancy, both in Otago, and on the Thames Gold-fields, and at the Inangahua it has been scarcely, more that cbmmenced, whilst in all these districts, and notably upon: this Coast, there is every reason to suppose that this branch of gold-mining is capable of being developed to a hundredfold its present extent, if only the , necessary capital was available. And here we come to the chief benefit which would be derived from the appoint-, ment of such a commission as we suggest. Its report would, or should afford a substantial body of thoroughly reliable data, to which capitalists seeking investment for their money could refer. Never yet in history has gold-raining taken its proper position aa a branch of industry, or one in the development of which it was thought that money could be profitably or securely invested. The misconceptions on this?point, however, which are prevalent in old countries are so notorious that it is unnecessary to dwell upon them. ' The report of the commission would go a long way 'to remove or lessen these, and t© prove that gold-getting offers investments as secure as nny other species of i mining. . If this effect is produced in a limited degree only, we believe that an immense extension of the industry in question would almost immediately ensue,' ; and we imagine that even the most obtuse of agriculturists will not aver that such an extension would be otherwise than advantageous to^the Colony at large. ■-.:■■-. We.would urge slrongly.upon the miners of the district the advisability of bringing this* matter under the notice of the Premier, whenever his promised visit" to thefSVest Coast shall take place. At the same time we would remind them that it is always easy to grumble, but that'^it is exceedingly difficult for a Government to attempt the remedy of indefinite grievances. It ?rill scarcely be denied in the face of Mr Vogel's public acts that that he is solicitous of promoting the gold-mining industry, and delivering it from that languishing condition intoJivhich. Ib has fallen in many districts. J3ut how can .this rbe done by any Minister unless 1 * those most directly interested, give him reason for action, stronger and more tangible than the mere mutterings of discontent. They must state the direction jn which they desire him to proceed, and

the objects which will thereby be attained. If this is clearly done, \te think Mr Vogel's career is a sufficient surety that suggestions will not be left uoconsidered, or grievances — shown to be sueh — unremedied.