The Gold Duty.

Otago Witness, Issue 1905, 25 May 1888, Page 12

The Gold Duty.

Editor Witness, — Sir: Your columns of late have been filled with discussions re schools of mines, travelling lecturers to give the goldminer technical knowledge in metallurgy, so as to enable him to distinguish valuable ores, &c. I may with perfect confidence state that this is not a matter that at present does, nor at any time did, greatly agitate the mind of the goldminer. From various causes the goldminer has not got the time to spare to attend experiments in metallurgy and chemistry, neither can he see the slightest necessity for such a course. The precious metals are but few, and the practical miner is not so ignorant as to throw away any new ore he has found when facilities of testing it can be had for a few shillings. So far as my experience goes — and I have been 30 years on the goldfields — I don't know of any goldfield either here or in Australia, nor of any silver or copper mines being discovered by men merely having a knowledge of metallurgy. Such discoveries have invariably been made by the enterprising practical miner. Far be it from me to depreciate knowledge ; by all means give the miner facilities for testing ores, but otherwise let him work out his own destiny. All that the miners wish for is to be free from the burden that, under the name of export duty on gold, has for so many years pressed upon their shoulders. If that boon and a fair price for his gold is obtained, the miner will be quite willing to forego votes for lecturing, prospecting, and such-like little favours that he does not consider at all likely to better his economical condition. An evil that grows greater to the sufferer the longer it lasts becomes less to the observer by the very fact of its duration. For years past bills for the reduction of this unjust tax on a man's labour have been passed in the House of Representatives, only to be thrown out by the Legislative Council. What is the cause of it ? When the land (as is the case in the goldfields counties in Otago) is occupied by large companies, or held in mortgage by the bank, whose primary object is monetary gain, resort is made to any measures, be they just or not, to effect such desideratum. Under the Local Bodies' Finance and Powers Act the gold export duty is made county revenue. Thus the laud owners or agents (who through their plurality of votes always manage a majority in the county councils), need only strike a comparatively small rate— say, |d in the pound— on their property, while they can make use of the export duty i that squeezes sixpence out of every pound of the poor miners' hard earnings. Sufficient pressure has always been brought to bear to throw out any measure designed to afford him relief. The metropolitan press stand calmly by without a word of comment. For many years have I read your paper, Sir, but only on one occasion, several years ago, have I seen an editorial treating on this subject. The goldfields press have always taken the miners' part in the unequal struggle ; and I think that the miners have done enough for Otago to deserve support from all classes in their request for abolishing an unjust labour tax. What a man makes or procures by his labour is his own ; no one else can rightfully claim it ; and his exclusive right to it involves no wrong to anyone else. There is no escape from this position. Therefore, any man who uses his political position to deprive the miner of the full enjoyment of his earnings is, in a moral way, as guily of dishonesty as one who robs him openly. But some people often shut their eyes to these little facts. The " Hon." before their names is all they require, whether it is apropos or not. The memory of men and their actions, however, remains after fchey themselves are turned to dust.— Yours, &c, John Hjalmar Werner, Secretary Lowburn Miners' Association. Lowburn, May 14.