MINERS' ASSOCIATION.

Mount Ida Chronicle, Volume XXI, Issue 1106, 12 February 1891, Page 3

MINERS' ASSOCIATION.

ST. BATHAN3 DISTRICT MINERS' AS SOCIATION.

The quarterly meeting of the above association was held at Cambrians on Saturday evening, the 7 h inst. There was only a moderate attendance, and the chair was occupied by the president (Mr. Thomas Hughes). He drew attention to the necessity for increased activity among the members, and thought it the duty of every miner to support the association, for "Union was strength." Cases had cropped up lately of miners as individuals fighting for their rights in the law courts to no purpose, whereas had they brought their grievances before the association in their district, united action would in all probability have had the desired ; effect. There was need for uuited action now, and he would urge upon all who took ] au interest in mining to work together hand iin hand. There were several important i matters to be dealt with—(l) A fair value for their gold; (2) an equitable property I tax.; (3) that streams connected with goldI fields be proclaimed sludge channels; Before the discussion of these subjects, he would call on the secretary to read the minutes and the correspondence. The minutes of the previous meeting were then read and confirmed. Th 3 secretary (ilr.. John Eagle) read lengthy correspondence from Mr. Werner, the secretary of the Confederated Association, Lowburn, relative to matters similar to those brought under their notice at this meeting by the chairman. This correspondence was received as read. The first matter brought on for discussion : was that relating to a.motion carried by the Mt. Ida branch—"That all streams be proclaimed tail-races." A long discussion followed, the majority of those present being of opinion that to' proclaim all rivers of the colony was needless owing to the non-aurife-rous nature of many of their basins. At the same time all agreed that at least those streams required for known goldfields should certainly be so proclaimed: The secretary stated he had some time ago written to the Confederated Association in this connection protesting against "all streams being thrown open unreservedly." Air. Excell then moved, and Mr. Conlson secouded :—"That the protest forwarded by the secretary be approved of, and be deemed equivalent to a vote against the motion of Mt. Ida Association."—Carried. The next matter brought up was the rating of mining property in lieu of gold duty. The provisions set forth in the new "Mining Ptoperty Rating Act " were consideied feasible, but any further impost by the county councils Would be treated as a grievance. It had been proposed by some councils to place a tax on '• plant." Mr. .Excell considered that, to tax " mine machinery." would be nnjast, for it was a tax on labour. The working plant should not be taxed, and in his argument he cited instances of very extensive workings in VieH*etia where to place a valuation tax on macki'uery would make the works unprofitable fciH.the holders. It was at length resolved :—■" That this association approves of the decision arrived at by the Lowburn Association in respect to the rating of mining property—viz., that this rating be applicable only to lands, races, dams, etc., held under miners' rights, and to the buildings thereon." The chairman stated the next business of the meeting was to decide as to the best steps to take in order to obtain a fair standard value for their gold. Mr. Eagle stated, on good authority, that in this district at any rate the 2-. refund through the abolition of the gold duty, even with the 6d. added which was absorbed by the hanks, would uot raise the price of gold to its standard value. He quoted-, in proof of this, where gold from the. district had assayed at the Melbourne mint up to £4 3s. llid. per oz. The export duty he stated was 2s. per oz., mint charsres 2d. per oz., and the cost of insurance i per cent. By obtaining standard value for the gold, 6s. 6d. more an oz. was obtained than if it had beeu sold to the b inks within the colony. There were reasonable grounds, therefore, for the miners of this district demanding a hi. her price for their gold. He referred to the resolution adopted by the Lowburn Association to the effect that the hanks should be asked to give £3 17s. 6d. per oz. after the 31st March. This value for the gold in the St. Bathans district, the speaker considered, would be much below its standard value. He thought the best plan to adopt would, be to bring pressure to hear upon the Government to take charge of their gold and have it melted and assayed, the owner to mee't expense of same. He read the report of the Goldfields Commit tee and quoted " Hansard " (No. 17, p. 461) in support of this. The Hon. Mr. Richardson, the then Minister of Mines, thought to carry out these suggestions would involve a heavy outlay for assay offices, etc. His successor let the matter rest, and it was now the duty of the association to impress upon the Hon. Mr. Seddon, the present Minister of Miues, that such proposals be dealt with by him. It was moved by Mr, Gay, and seconded by Mr. Scott:—"That, having considered the proposal of the Lowburn Association re a higher price far go!d, and finding the same does not meet the requirements of the miners in this district, this association considers the proposal of that association to be a step iu the right direction and approves of it to a certain extent, but thinks the Confederated Association should insist on the Government carrying out the resolution passed by the mining delegates at the Clyde Conference in April, 18SS, also the resolutions of the Goldfields Committee as submitted to the House on 13th September, ISB9, recommending the Government to melt parcels of gold for the miners, thus enabling them to get standard value for their produce."—Carried. Mr. Eagle read a letter from the secretary of the Confederated Association, Lowburn, inviting the opinion of this branch on the desirability of appointing a legal adviser for ) the union. Moved by Mr." Excell, and seconded by Mr. Gay :—" That consideration of legal adviser be adjourned till next quarterly meeting."—Carried. Ths election of office-bearers for the ensuing year resulted in all those holding office last year being re-eleoted. Mr. Excell made reference to their valuable services during the past year. Their labours, he was had met with entire satisfaction, and in appreciation of this he had much pleasure in moving that the retiring officers be re-elected. This was seconded by Mr. Gay, and carried ntm. di<. The officers, therefore, are : Mr. Thos. Hughes, president; Mr. \Y. Williams vice-president; Mr. John Eagle, lion, sec.; and Mr. J. Gray, treasurer. I The chairman thanked the meetin" for the compliment passed upon the officers. 0 The secretary stated the collections 10-1 1 wards the testimonial to Mr. J. Werner amounted so far to £2 Is.

It was agreed to hold the next moctinn- 0 f the association at St. Batiums towards the end of April.