THE CANTERBURY PRESS ON THE AFFAIRS OF WESTLAND.

Grey River Argus, Issue 65, 12 June 1866, Page 3

THE CANTERBURY PRESS ON THE AFFAIRS OF WESTLAND.

(From the " Press," June 2.) The warmth of political feeling wliicli, under the stimulus of a protracted election, has boon developed in the eastern half of Canterbury, lias not extended to the other side of the dividing range. That oaly about a dozen ~vote3 were recorded: on Wednesday, is, perhaps, not very surprising, as the great bulk of the population had no part in the election of Superintendent, but no greater interest seems to be taken in the approaching election' of representatives in the Provincial Council. The "West Coast Times"— the great champion of West-Liid rights —complains loudly of tlie prevailing apathy. Five members have to be chosen, but only one candidate has come forward, and no one seems to know or care whether the other four seats will find occupants. Yet the discontent with the Canterbury Government, so r^ely expressed bytheWestland members during the last session, and in all the; local press, continues undlm'nished. -At Griymouth matters have gone so 'far that a proposal for annexing the district to the province of Nelson has been favorably received, and a petition to that effect is being, got up for presentation to the General Assembly. At Hokitika the idea of separation has been definitely abandoned, the leading journal formally announcing that the dependence of the West Coast upon the Canterbury Provincial Government has been accepted by the people ; but it must not be supposed, that the people are at all more contented with their present position. On the contrary; the papers teem witli complaints, and every fresh charge against, the Canterbury Government, whether deserved or not, meets with universal approbation. Now these two facts— tlie increased complaints, combined with generalpoliue.il indifference — arguj that the grievances, whatever they may be, are not radical. The Westland people ha'.e no .enmity against Canterbury, but their comuc ion with it exposes tliem to a perpetual succession of provoking annoyances, which, if not remedied, -may lead to a disruption. In a word, they want local government. We on tins side have just had experience from the delay that took place before the writs came down from Wellington, how annoying; it may be to depend upon a Government not readily accessible ; and we can the more easily understand that many little matters may occur in Westland which might be settled at once by an authority on the spot, and that it is therefore felt as an intolerable nuisance thai they should have to be referred to Christcliurch. A constant succession of little worries of this kind is more vexatious, and causes more general discontent, than tlie loss of tome constitutional privilege, which to the mass of the population would pass unf elt "; not to mention that the Government is a convenient scapegoat, and, no doubt, along with more substantial grievances, has to bear the blame of many evib that no possible Government could prevent. The "■ Wes.t Coast Times " calls for increased representation in the Provincial Council, the expenditure of the revenue of the district upon public works within, the district, the establishment of such municipal and mining regulations as will stimulate the development of its resources, and»of some local authority under the control of a regulated public opinion, and politically responsible, to the provincial legislature, More than one scheme has boen suggested for the attainment of these ends ; but, though everyone admits that some measure of the kind is required, they have attracted only temporary attention, and have been but little discussed either here or in Westland itself. A step in the right direction has been taken by the proclaiming of Hokitika as a munici-pality-^a benefit winch surely ought to be extended to Greymouth, and to other towns in turn aa they attain ai sufficient magnitude to warrant it. But some comj comjfl'ehensive scheme for the settlement of the whole difficulty in governing the two divisions of the Province •-'is still needed.. VMr Moorhouse has visited Westland and knows its requiremeritsj and we may hope that in his hands the subject will receive the attention it demands. We may hope that in the next Provincial Council his Executive will be prepare^ to submit a large, Avell-considered measure, which without sacrificing the interests of the East, will satisfy the just demands of the West, and bring together- tlie two at present separated and discordant sections of the Province into one community, under a system of government adapted to the pecular needs and situation of 'each.