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New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIII, Issue 7657, 7 June 1886, Page 4

One very important question forcing itself upon public attention at the present time is how to present such inducements to those classes of our population likely to be attracted by the Kimberley goldfields as will tend to prevail on them to remain in this colony. There are, of course, some who, under the gold excitement, will not be turned aside from their purpose of embarking for so remote a field. But, leaving these out of view, it mnst be distinctly understood that want, or even scarcity of employment, is calculated to lead many to try their luck in, that remote region, who otherwise would have no desire to «*o. For this reason, it is gratifying to notice that this matter is in one form engaging the attention of Government. Its urgency has, indeed, been expressly assigned by the Colonial Treasurer as the main reason why the Estimates should be proceeded with as rapidly as possible. Contracts are also being put in a state of readiness to be tendered for, so as to admit of the works being commenced without delay, and thus furnish immediate employment to many who might otherwise be tempted to bid farewell to our shores, at least for a time. This is well, in so far as the labouring population is concerned. But

there is another important class in our colonial community on whom the report of fresh gold discoveries operates very powerfully, and whom it is most important to endeavour at this time to retain amongst us. Of course we now refer to our gold miners. These we cannot afford to lose, because they are engaged in an industry requiring special experience, and whose success give* an impulse to the majority or othsr industries in the colony. The question, %h&r.>hrn, is what special steps can or ought wis flovsrnment to take at present to prevent any oi <"!??> from leaving the country? Of late years the Government have, with . the view of encouraging this class, been in the habit of offering various small sums as rewards for the discovery of new goldfielda, and allowing the claim to be made anywhere except within five milea of existing workings. This condition, however, has had a tendency rather to extend the present fields than to develop new ones. On this account it is, we believe, the intention of some of the goldfields members in the House of Representatives to endeavour this session to gat the Government to make an alteration in this respect, and to offer a much larger reward, with the view of inducing systematic prospecting in new districts properly so-called. It would, of course, in this case be only fair that before any claim could bo entertained, it should be shown that the field alleged to have been discovered is really a new one, distant, say, thirty or forty miles from any existing workings, and also that duty has been collected on at least 50,0000z before the rewa \d became payable. If this proposal were adopted by the Government, it would give an impulse to the piosjisriing of new country such as has not l;?3n attainable under present arrangements. There can be no doubt that, if a large and substantial sum were held out as an inducement, not a few miners of the highest skill would direct their efforts to the discovering of fresh fields with an earnestness and success which have not yet been witnessed. It is, therefore, greatly to be hoped that the Government will heartily enter into this proposal, and adopt such measures as will give protection and facilities as well as inducements to experts who are ready to devote themselves to the work of prospecting. The result, it is morally certain, would be that in various parts of the colony goldmining operations would soon be both quickened and enlarged, and we should not have the occasion to deplore the loss of vigorous and experienced men, whose services to the colony are invaluable.