The Proposed Mining Conference.

Otago Witness, Issue 1974, 19 September 1889, Page 11

The Proposed Mining Conference.

Editor Witness. — Sir: Having received a number of programmes of a proposed miners' meeting during tha exhibition, to be presided over* by a committee of Dutiedin°gentleu:en, I wish, with your permission, to make a few remarks upon this subject. Re the first aud principal proposition for the abolishment of the gold duty ; tho miners' associatious huve already laid a proposal ivide conference of miuing delegates at Clyde — Witnes= f April 25) before the Government dealing with this mntter, and, iv reply, I hold a telegram from the Premir-r admitting that thepresent arrangements are not satisfactory, but stating that as they have existed for ruany y^ars, the time is too sbort this session to effect tbe necessary alterations. He, however, promises ,to deal with the matter, and hopes to arrive at a satisfactory solution, so this matter is afc present sub judice. Now, is it ;he intention of the convener of this proposed meeting (Mr Millar) to effect an .improvement upon this proposal of the mining .delegates, or is lie really not aware that it has been made ?

About two years ago circulars re forming a association at the Arrow were sent to 'Mr Millar (being a writer of f some note on min--;ing matters) from the Lowburn and St. Bathaaij associations, btifc he did not then seem to enter-

tain that ides, saying that the miners there would sooner pay the gold duty than to go to the .trouble, but now he seems alive to the necessity to stir in the matter, but I don't think he goes the right way about it. To effect any beneficial change in the condition of the gold miners, permanent institutions, like the associations, are necessary— keeping the desired end steadily in view, not discouraged at tho first defeat, but ready to fight the battle over again, as long as their demands are just. The miners should be competent to manage their own affairs, and should not expect men following different pursuits to take the lead in matters pertaining to. the mining interest ; at the same time the miners' associations would gladly welcome the support -from a committee of, the gentlemen meulioned in the programme, and others interested in mining. The proposals of the' Mining Conference also | contained a request to open up a connection with the Australian Mints, so as to assure the miners full value for gold. Several amendments in the Mining Act were also suggested. AU these proposals were sent to the Government under charge of the member for Mount Ida. The question of a mining board for Otago and Southland was held over till next meeting. A miuing board for New Zealand I consider unworkable on account of the long dibtance members would have to travel. So you see that the miners' associations have been, and are yet, working hard for the advancement of the mining cause, and therefore, without wishing to throw cold water ou any bonafde scheme, I may say that I have very little faith in any enthusiasm got up to effect an instantaneous change in wrongs that associations have struggled for years to remedy. — Yours, &c., Jno. Wekner, Secretary Lowburn Miners' Association. . Lowburn, September 14.