DISALLOWANCE OF THE OTAGO GOLD DUTY REPAYMENT ORDINANCE, (CORRESPONDENCE RELATIVE TO THE).

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1874 Session I, A-04b

A.—4b

1874. NEW ZEALAND.

DISALLOWANCE OF THE OTAGO GOLD DUTY REPAYMENT ORDINANCE, (CORRESPONDENCE RELATIVE TO THE).

Return to a Resolution of the Souse of Representatives, No. 10, of 22nd July, 1874. " That there be laid upon tho Table, copies of all Correspondence or Telegrams between tho General Government and Provincial Government of Otago, relativo to the Otago Gold Duty Repayment Ordinance, and its consequent disallowance by His Excellonoy the Governor.— (Mr. J. C. Brown.)

No. 1. His Honor the Stjpebintendent, Otago, to the Hon. the Colonial Seceetaet. Sib, — Superintendent's Office, Dunedin, 22nd June, 1874. I do myself the honor to forward the enclosed Ordinances passed at the last Session of the Provincial Council, to which I have assented on behalf of His Excellency the Governor, viz.,— " Imprest Supply Ordinance, 1874." " Otago Gold Duty Eepayment Ordinance, 1874." Also, the following Bill, which I have reserved for the signification of His Excellency's pleasure thereon, viz., — " Otago Harbour Board Ordinance, 1874." I have, &c, J. Macandbew, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Wellington. Superintendent.

No. 2. The Hon. the Colonial Seceetaey to His Honor the Stjpebintendent, Otago. Sic, — Colonial Secretary's Office, Wellington, 18th July, 1874. I have the honor to inform your Honor that the Governor has disallowed " The Otago Gold Duty Eepayment Ordinance, 1874." His Excellency was advised to take that course, because there did not appear to be sufficient provision in the Bill to prevent the repayment of gold duty being made for gold the produce of other provinces shipped from Otago. Although the second section of the Bill refers to the gold as being the produce of the Province of Otago, the third section requires your Honor to be satisfied with the proof only of the gold being shipped from the province. Thus inducements would be offered to transmit to Otago, for shipment, the gold produced in other provinces, thereby causing loss to their revenue. It may be doubted whether any provision for giving a bonus on gold shipped could be hedged round with sufficient prohibition to protect the interest of other provinces ; but provision might be made for allowing the bonus directly to the miners, on their satisfying the Warden or other authorized officer that they obtained gold within any district, and forwarded it to the coast for shipment. A measure of that kind, whilst answering the purpose of the Ordinance lately made by the Otago Provincial Council, would be free from the great objection to which I have referred, as well as from another which might be urged against it, as being, in appearance at least, an unconstitutional interference with the authorized taxation. I have, &c, His Honor the Superintendent, Otago. Daniel Pollen. By Authority: George Didsbuey, Government Printer, Wellington.—lB74. trice 3d.]