THE Grey River Argus. PUBLISHED DAILY. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 8, 1871.

Grey River Argus, Volume X, Issue 815, 8 March 1871, Page 2

THE Grey River Argus. PUBLISHED DAILY. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 8, 1871.

A jfew issues ago we published a short letter from an np-c»mnlry correspondent, drawing the attention of the miners on the Nels-m South- West Gold Fields to the advisability of forming local Committees in each centre of population, for the purpose of watching over the affairs of their districts, and affording something like an organised means of communication between the miners and the Governmpnt. The suggestion is a practical and valuable one. Our correspondent is a miner himself, and is painfully aware of the utter absence of anything lik« combined action on the part of the mining community, and of the want of organisation amongst them. Ht* is not the only onu who realises and deplores the inattention of the miners to their own affairs as a body. Their apathy on public questions, except nnder the excitement of a contested election, or when suffering from some unwonted grievance, is proverbial. However much their affairs may he mismanaged, they seem to be able to do little more than grumble and complain. We' do not see amongst them any attempt by organisation amongst themselves to exercise that proper and constitutional influence in matters affecting their interests, which are so common amongst other communities. Perhaps this is a good deal due to thf fact that the Government is always so officially and officiously present in their every day transactions that the miners seem to depend on the Government for everything. Nothing is too trivial for them to consider worthy of the attention of " the Government." If a few yards of bad road or track need repairing, or a little foot-bridge erected, they prefer to suffer inconvenience and risk for months, and keep crying out for '• the Government" to do the work, rather than put their own shoulders to the wheel in the matter. The Government is to them the -Lcgiiiiiing did onj yj£ orolj thing UUtSIfJP of their own special daily labor. Amongst themselves, fnr the prosecution of their individual undertakings, they act v«ry differently. In everything relating to actual gold mining they exhibit powers of organization and general capacity surpassed by no other community, making it all the more marvellous that they betray such a deplorable infirmity in other matters. How is this ? It is not from want of intelligence, nor is it from the want of ability to i understand when their interests suffer or the remedies required. Doubtless it 'arises from the mere absence of organised machinery by which to give effect to their views and opinions. It is the weakest point in tho present system of Gold Fields administration that no provision is made for enlisting the miners themselves to take part in the management of their affairs. Wherever a proper channel is afforded for the indulgence of the natural desire which people have to exercise a voice and wield some influence in public affairs, it is found that, with very little encouragement, an active, healthy interest is excited, and very beneficial results accrue. In Westland, although the Road Boards have not been allowed the free scope that they ought to have, they have, at any rate, awakened some public spirit atnongst the miners, and we find them betraying quite as nmch interest in their little local affairs as is to be found in lar^e bodies, with, a more extended and important fiald of action. We may hope that the day is not far distant when the Gold Fieli's will be allowed the full enjoyment of the rights and privileges of local self-govern-ment, but before that boon is conferred much {rood could be accomplished by means of the local committees suggested by onr corr ;spondeut. Even if they have no legal status, they would, if formed on a representative basis be useful as a tentath c measure. If each considerable centre of population would elect at a public meeting a few of their number as a local committee, to consider all matters affecting local concerns and take steps regarding them, they would undoubtedly exercise more weight and influence than could be secured by the- disjointed spasmodic action, of self*-appointed deputations, or by any other unorganised method of stating grievances or suggesting remedies. They would not fail to become recognised a3 quasi-public bodies, and would command respect and attention. The town of Greymouth, for instance, had its Improvement Committee long before it became an incorporated town, and it was quite as active and influential in its way as the Borough Council is now. If subscriptions were needed for some special public improvement the Committee undertook their collection, and was the body responsible for the expenditure. Why could not similar Committees exist on the Gold Fields ? Many a useful small, but perhaps needed, work could be carried out in the various localities, if there was only some organised machinery for giving effect to the cooperation of the public. Instead of the objectionable protected monopolies that exist for- such things as tracks or bridges we should find' the inhabitants who are now heavily mulcted in tolls combining together tor the purpose of securing the benefit and profit of theoe things to themselves. And whenever representations had to be made to the authorities on any public matter, these local. Committees

would be invaluable. We trust that tin advice of our correspondent and th> advantages we have pointed out wil induce a beginning to be made. One* let a good example be set and other would follow. Which district will takt the lead in this matter ?