HUNTLY.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXIX, Issue 3123, 21 July 1892, Page 2

HUNTLY.

Coal Duties.—The Government, acting evidently from pressure without, exerted by a particular section of their supporters, are coquetting with, and endeavouring to insert the thin end of the wedge of Protection, our coal measures being the first object of their protective solicitude. But thanks to the free trade spirit which yet exists in the House, and to the fact that the Government party are not at one themselves on the question, it seems likely that nothing will come of it. The miners here, acting under the belief that the imposition of a prohibitive duty on Newcastle coal (the bete no'ir of the North Island coal miner) wuuld benefit them, have put a petition in circulation for signature, praying the House to impose a duty on auch coal, but should the Government find themselves at any time strong enough to fasten a protective tariff on New Zealand, their days would be numbered, as experience and facts which are forcing themselves upon us every day prove indubitably that Protection is inimical to the best interests of any country. The principle underlying popular government is essentially that of securing the greatest good to the greatest number, and not to Becure a questionable pood to a small number at the expense of an evil to the many. A tax such as that sought to be imposed would no doubt result in private advantage, but in the end the consumer (that indefinable body) would have to pay it. Because New South Wales sees tit to impose a duty on our farm produce, &c., affords no reason why we should retaliate on her coal, as to do so would inevitably lead to further Customs reprisals, and intercolonial trade and commerce, which should be as free a3 the wind, would be*- hamperod and restricted to our mutual impoverishment.

The Coal Trade.—The coal trade here is sulfering from within, the middleman in Auckland taking the oyster and leaving the mine owner and miner the liquor and shell. Household coal is quoted here at 12s per ton, with, I suppose, a trade discount of 10 per cent, to the large dealer, which reduces it to say lis per ton, the freight per rail to Auckland is 6s 6d per ton making it 17s 6d, and the price of a ton of household coal delivered to within a reasonable distance from the depot in Auckland is 25s per ton, a pretty safe margin of profit. It is with coal as with fruit, the producer and consumer need t> be brought closer together, freights might very reasonably be reduced and a more complete and stricter supervision exercised in the matter of weight. Attention to these matters would, I venture to think, result in far more tangible good to the miners than taxing the foreign article. Newcastle coal is a necessity, in foundry and blacksmithiug work, increase the cost of it aud who would have to pay it? not only thoao engaged in manufacture but the country settler and agriculturists. SieK and Accident Fund.—The miners held a meeting in the school-room on Saturday evening last to further discuss the question of providing a sick and accident fund apart from the Medic il Association which ensures the attendance of a doctor during sickness. A committee was formed on a proper basis of representation of the different mines, and officers appointed. Rules were dratted providing for the payment by employees of a shilling a month which will entitle a member to receive £1 per week during sickness and another ss, if disabled, through accident. The rules will be registered when approved of, and with the fund provided by mine owners under the Coal Mines' Act, 1891, and administered by trustees on behalf of the men they should leel that ware sickness to overtake them a certain amount of help is assured. Dit. Colb.—lt is a mattes for regret that Dr. Cole lias left us, as he was so genial and kindly in manner, to say nothing of his professional skill, and we hope that Hnntly will be fortunate enough ere long to procure sucli another medical man. The Floods.—The rive* is receding rather slowly after the Hood, which proves that heavy rains must have fallen further south. Some of the gardens here suffered through their temporary submersion, and it is fortunate it happened as early in the planting season, otherwise the damage would have been heavy. A considerable amount of salvage was picked up hare in the form of building timber, logs, etc., and a large quantity passed on. Football.—The greatest interest among footballers naturally centres round the matches botween Hamilton and Huntly, for when Greek meets Greek, etc. Next Saturday's fixture between the above clubs is exciting interest here, and the Huntly men are determined tor themselves, that the game will not be contested in that spirit so unmistakably indulged in by the Hamilton players when they meat a team their equal, that is—win, tie, or wrangle.