THE Grey River Argus. PUBLISHED DAILY. WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 14, 1872.

Grey River Argus, Volume XII, Issue 1261, 14 August 1872, Page 2

THE Grey River Argus. PUBLISHED DAILY. WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 14, 1872.

It is by no means unlikely, owing to the present unsatisfactory and disturbed state of parties in the Assembly, that the Colonial Executive, though animated with the best intentions, will not be able, during this session, to carry through their promised Bill for the' establishment of one form of government for the West Coast of this Island, and consequently the County Council system will obtain another lease of existence. Possibly this miserable prospect may be happily avoided, the fates be more propitious than would appear at present probable, and the longed-for unity may yet be accomplished within a brief period. We are at least justified in hoping that such may be the case. But it is, at the same time, well to be prepared for the worst, and consider whilst there is yet time and opportunity what, in case of no changes proving poßsible, is the best course to take, in order, at least, to relieve the County from the slow process of strangulation to which it is now, and has been for years subjected. Judgiug from the reports of County Council proceedings and the statements of the Chairman, Westland is very far from being in a flourishing condition as far as its finances go. On Saturday last, the abovenamed gentleman asked the advice of the Council on the best mode of extricating the, County from the pecuniary dilemma in which it is at present placed, and the simple imivtte. with which he said that it was just possible to tide over the next six months, and that after that period " the General Government must step in and pay the liabilities/ would have been amusing, were the difficulty not so serious. It seems that the income of the County up to the present time has been barely sufficient to meet departmental expenses, without the least chance of any crumbs falling to the share of, public works, excepting of the moßt paltry character. Nor is this the worst, for the County account it seems cannot be balanced, excepting by admitting liabilities' variously estimated at from £5000 to £7000, and this, be it remembered, for the half-year. If the same rate of indebtedness is maintained during the next six months there will be a nice little sura to teat the benevolence of the General Government with at the year's end. But in order to make things still more unpleasant, there will be a certain diminution of 20 per cent, on the gold revenue, if the Assembly carry out their resolution at once, by the reduction of duty to the extent of sixpence per ounce, and thus, a considerable proportion of income hitherto derived from that source will be cut off. But, however glibly the Chairman may talk about the General Government relieving the County at the end of the year of any current debt that may have been contracted, there may very probably be two sides to that question, and it is not extremely likely that the relief requisite will be afforded without an equivalent in some shape or other, so that really the position would be as bad, or perhaps even worse than ever. Everything considered, then, it should be the special care of the County Council bofore separating to make all provision possible for tho contingencies that are too

plainly looming in the no distant future. To do this may, and indeed must, tax their ingenuity, but they should com-, raence by taking measiires to reduce very r considerably the iniquitous legacy of debt that the Canterbury Government left the County subsequent to separation. Thin has for years hung like a veritable millstone round Westland' s neck, the annual interest and sinking fund most unjustly pressing on the County revenue. The chief part of the liability was incurred through the construction of the Christchurch and Hokitika road. It is obviously unfair, however beneficial the work may bo, to charge it to Westland in the proportion that has been allotted, and it is also clear that as it is in every particular a main trunk road, the General Government should not only accept its burden of cost, but should take upon themselves its whole care and maintenance. Were proper representations made there is at least every reason for thinking that relief in this direction would be accorded. If so County funds would speedily become more buoyant, and one incubus would be removed. But irrespective of this the Council should demand in all equityare-adjustment of tho whole debt apportioned to this part of theCoa3t. Since that time great and radical changes have come about, and in re-opening the case there are many circumstances that have arisen which justify the people of Westland in asking as. it were for a re-hearing. Under the most favorable state of things, even if the proposed Government measure in passed and the whole Coast united under one form of Government, this difficulty must crop up, and it is the duty of the Council to at once and boldly grapple with it with a view to overcoming it. Hitherto Westland has paid the piper at altogether too great a cost ; she has been liberal to the Canterbury squatters and dealers, and has impoverished herself by very shortsighted generosity 'net to say idiotic folly. By appealing to the Assembly whilst in session, matters may be altered for the better ; by allowing things to drift as they are at present doing the County is becoming hopelessly inselvent. Whether the Government of the Coast remain as it is, or be reformed as desired, the unjust debt with which Westland is at present saddled must be reconsidered, and to the County Council the public must look for steps that will obtain justice in this respect, no matter how tardy it may be in coming. If members fail in ' this, they fail in their duty ; if there is any chance of an altered and improved condition for the people of this County, it must commence with lightening the load of debt from which they now suffer. How that can be done is for the County Council to consider. Be it how it may, it is manifestly ridiculous to maintain a system of Government that, with overhanging liabilities to a very large amount, falls annually into deeper difficulties, and is unable to execute the most necessary public works, no matter how reasonable or requisite they may be. Unless some vast and promising change be effected, it is certainly not prudent to elect another County Council under any circumstances, for at the present rate its retention only plunges Westland into a further abyss of difficulty.