THE Grey River Argus. TUESDAY, JANUARY 8, 1867.

Grey River Argus, Issue 154, 8 January 1867, Page 2

THE Grey River Argus. TUESDAY, JANUARY 8, 1867.

We would recommend our readers to peruse \\\ts report of the debate on the Westland Estimates published in another part of this paper. From it may be gathered a tolerably correct index of the opinions prevalent in the Council about Westlaud, and the sentiments with which the aftairs of this district are regarded. The first reflection that arises is that concerning the ignorance displayed by many of the members, not only of the local circumstances of Westland but of the principles which oik lit to regulate its Government. One lion, and gallant member expressed the sa^e opinion that because the population was itinerant in its habits if was undesirable to do that which would be the only means of ensuring its greater permanency. And this is perhaps the opinion most largely shared in by what we may term the Conservatives of Canterbury. It is decidedly the one most dangerous to the interests of Westland, because to a certain extent it is based on a fact. Our Hokitika contemporary has endeavored to prove that the population of Westland is every bit as permanent as that of any other part of the province, but we hardly think it has made out a good Cii.se. Indeed it would be simply foolish to attempt to disprove the charge that the population of Westland is not a permanent one, but we think it can be shown that the chances of ensuring the permanency of a large proportion of our present large population are sufficiently strong to encourage any Government to freely avail itself of them. Major Horn brook's idea is that the construction of roads, bridges, &c. —tljat is to say all the first necessities of a settlement — should not be allowed to get ahead of the population. He would have no road made to any locality unless the gold fields were being already worked. He has no idea of the importance of opening up the country to further research, or of providing fresh fields for the 'employment of labor. The policy which Major Hornbrook and gentlemen of his line of thinking would adopt "would., lie- precisely that which

would very, soon result in the desertion of the country by the greatest propoi*tioi) of tfie .present inhabitants. It is a fortunate tiling that tt&tter ideas prevail in the Executive, and that we have a Government that is at least desirous of advancing the material interests of this district, It is not surprising when we see such narrow ideas finding utterance in the Council, that the question of Separation should have been mooted as an excellent means of getting rid of the troublesome subject of Westland affairs; Aud our readers cannot fail to be struck with the very faint protest against such a course that was made by the Govern, meut. Indeed Mr Stewart rather thought the General Government would consent to the creation of another province for the sake of weakening Canterbury, The most that he said against it was that he thought it unnecessary-— that things would be improved — but that no doubt suck a step might become necessary some time — and so on. Now it is not a very good sigir when a Cabinet minister accustoms himself to discuss a proposal which it ought to be his policy to ignore as long as possible — that is to say if it really be the honest desire of the Government to preserve the unity of the Province, We have doubts on this point, and we believe the conviction is growing up that "Westland cannot be satisfactorily governed from Chiistchurch— or if so that no Ministry sufficiently liberal to Westlaud can long command office. Westlifnd affairs are the great source of embarrassment, and we can see at least a good stroke of ministerial tactics in the appointment of the Westland Commission. The Government will be able to shift the responsibility of its future policy to the shoulders of the Commission, and thus escape any disagreeable charges that may arise out of its recommendations. Our impression is that the Commission will be a failirra — that is to say that if it adequately perform its duties, it must recommend a system of Government which will not be consented to by the Council, and will probably only be obtained by total Separation.