THE MINING CONFERENCE, &c

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 173, 1 June 1871, Page 5

THE MINING CONFERENCE, &c

(By our Sioitzers Correspondent.)

It being the intention of the General Government to bring before the new Assembly a Goldfields Act, as set forth in the advertisement giving instructions for the election of a Mining Board, it would appeal* that the Mining Board elected have other powers than those prescribed in the fifty-eighth section of the Goldfields Act, 1866; or, in other words, the^ object of the delegates being called together is not merely to alter or make bye-laws, but for the purpose of suGjEjestingj any alterations or amendments of the acts in force for the better administration of laws and justice on the golnfields, and to encourage mining industry in all its branches as much as possible. It will be necessary, in order to assist them in their deliberations, that suggestions be forwarded from each district. It was the intention of the majority of the Switzers people to hold a meeting before Mr. Gwynne lefc for Dunedin,

to give him the benefit of its united wisdom ; but our Warden, who, I believe, had instructions to inform the delegate when the Conference was to meet, withheld the information, both from Mr. G-wynne and bis friends, until the time was past when he should have gone, hence the people were prevented giving an expression of opinion. " Our own " may probably be allowed to leap into the breach and offer such suggestions aa may not only be for the benefit of our own district, but may apply throughout the colony. To say that those who are engaged in mining pursuits are heavily taxed is merely to utter what has often been said, and what is patent to all who have thought on the subject. Therefore, the various subjects brought before them should not merely be that every facility may be offered for the profitable prosecution of the mining industry, but also that tl.ey strongly recommend that the grevious burden under which the miners are suffering be reduced. The time has gone by when wealth may be readily acquired by the miners. When gold was easily obtained, and money plentiful, that which was always an injustice was not felt to be intolerable; but under an altered state of things, when intelligent plodding industry is required to obtain even a miserable pittance, the export duty on gold continues the same, the price of a miners' right is now as ever, and for everything requiring to ue registered there is a charge of two-and-sixpence. Nor is this all — before a miner can accomplish a sale of mining property, there is a heavier fee for transfer fian is charged for the sale of other property. And after all the deductions, fees, and taxation, if a miner cuts a load of manuka for firewood for his own use, he renders himself liable to a penalty. Whatever turn he takes, taxation stares him in tho face. The suggestions I would give to the delegates in Conference are — Ist. The abolition of the export duty on gold on a sliding scale of sixpence per ounce per annum, to commence with the passing of the Act, and to be finally abolished at the end of four years. 2nd. The reduction of miners' rights to ten shillings. 3rd. The reduction of registration fee?. The present registration fee of two shillings and sixpence is too much for the impoverished state of the goldfields. It frequently happens that a miner engaged in sluicing has to pay as much as ten shillings in that way in the course of three of four months, which is a large amount of money when we consider the amount of gold he obtains in that time. I would, therefore, suggest that the fee be reduced to one shilling for each registration certificate, which is sufficient to cover all expenses in connection with that department. 4th. That the 90 section of the Goldfields Act, 1866, which provides for the remuneration of assessors, be altered so as to read five shillings for each day's attendance at Court, and five shillings, instead of ten, for every issue upon the hearing of which he shall act, and that there be no limit to the number of issues he may receive pay for upon which he may act; and further, that travelling expenses be allowed at the rate of one shilling per mile (after the first mile) one way; and also, that the 87th section be altered to harmonise with the above Rusfjrestion. T fancy I see some old identity, while looking over suggestions such as the above, and crying out, " Heigh ! heigh ! what will they want next ? Where will all the money come from to meet the disbursements of the Government if all these reductions are made?" The goldfields have hitherto been regarded too much in the light of a wet nurse to afford vitality to our petty governments, aud if the life-blood of the mining population be staunched, they cannot tell by what other means the state can be saved. This is, after all, the point upon which the whole matter rests. But as I am in the way of giving suggestions, . l mijjht give a few hints that might be of some benefit, if acted upon, to our legislators in assisting them to provide for any deficiency caused by the above reductions. This is a part of the subject on which I have not seen a clear idea advanced by any of them. Borrowing is the fork of our financiers when • any difficulty arises ; but there are so many lights and shadows about the subject, I must speak of it tenderly, or there is no knowing what harm may come of it. Knowing statesmen and politicians, pardon my intrusion into your domain. Allow me to say a word, for while the public mind in being educated by bitter experience, the body is going to decay. Now, -in order 'to deal justly with the population pf this rising colony, let our legislators .'lay aside self-interest or self-aggrandisement ; all ideas of land monopoly,, and steamboat monopoly ; nor let the 'honorarium be thought of, the pay will nome when the duties are performed. Tjiere is an arduous task before them when the Assembly meets, enougk to stagger brave hearts. The Public Works Act, with all its complications, will have to be re-discussed and settled on a more equitable basis ; the Goldfidds Act also, with all its complications, • and many other questions, will nrcessarily arise during the session; and last, though not least, a Customs Act should be introduced and passed. A revision of the tariff of the colony is highly necessary, in order that the Government niav bn furnished with wnv^iiud-

means that a safer basis may be laid for the future prosperity of the country to be built upon; and an equitable adjustment of taxation. The present system is a by-word and reproach. Its advocates may argue in favour of its simplicity. Truly, it is simple ; I had almost said that it was only equalled in its simplicity by the fraraers of it. I admit it to be a very simple mode of obtaining the l'evenue, but is it the best? Is the most money obtained by it with the least harm to the colony ? Is it equitable? By it are not the poor taxed for the benefit of the wealthy ? These are questions that might be easily answered, but they would open up a wide field — wider than I intend to enter upon at present. But I may state that the Customs Act has been the cause of a great amount of financial difficulty, and consequently an amount of commercial depression. While the colony has been going heavily into debt year by year, the wealthy class have been rolling in luxuries obtained at a minimum cost, while the poor man has been heavily taxed for the necessaries of life. It will be sufficient for my present purpose to indicate the importance of the subject by adducing one or two examples. I might mention that the costly fabrics such as brocade, moir antique, &c, entered at the Customs office side by side with the commonest prints, calicoes, winceys, &c, at the same rate per measurement, and also goods manufactured and unmanufactured charged at the same rate, and some idea may be formed of the character of the present system. I have merely given a few hints on this great question, which I hope will be thoroughly discussed, as I am satisfied that under a properly constructed fiscal system sufficient money would be obtained to properly carry on the Government of the colony, and allow justice to be done to all classes.