MINING FREEGOLDS.

Mount Ida Chronicle, Volume VII, Issue 370, 7 April 1876, Page 3

MINING FREEGOLDS.

The ' New Zealand Times ' has published a leading article in reply to ours of the 17th ult., in which we took exception to the proposed , disposal of milling estates as freeholds, shadowed out through its columns. It is very gratifying to us to iiote that all the points raised against our views are based on fallacious reasoning, or on absolutely deficient knowledge; and all the advantages claimed to accrue—if freeholds were the order of the day —are equally erroneausly based. For instance, the ' New Zealand Times ' really believes that the solitary wastes of Otago are now closed against settlement in deference to the wish of Goldfields demagogues. The fact is Goldfields demagogues have been fighting almost in vain to get land opened for agricultural settlement for the last three years near auriferous ground, but not <n it, and even now are restricted to small blocks th?y by no means favor. Our contemporary knows nothing of the nature of auriferous country in Otago,. and its extreme suitability for all interests working hand in hand. There is no such thing in Otago as extraneous sharply delined Goldfields, except in name. Another assumption is that Otago miners make no homes but simply rove about, and it is that sort of roving independence which we advocate. Ask their wives, count their -children, look at their wellfilled schools. The miuer roves be cause he must do so to make ends meet, as he is harassed by taxation, and prevented in many cases from settling on more than his acre residence area. That is no reason his best means of subsistence should be taken from him to be givn to freeholders who, having to pay wages, would not find it profitable to mine. It does not follow that we consider the present system perfect because we disaprove of the sale of numerous country. Our present system, with the inducements it offers to loafers and sharpers, is as rotten as neglect can well make it. This state of things will not be remedied by looking at Califorrva or Nevada, and ignoring the special character a id limited area of auriferous country in New Zealand. We see no reason to modify our argument already advanced. A careful study of mining statistics, especially in regard to their social aspect, wilt" satisfy the ' New Zealand Times ' that its premises are unsound,