THE Grey River Argus. PUBLISHED DAILY. TUESDAY. OCTOBER 1, 1572.

Grey River Argus, Volume XII, Issue 1302, 1 October 1872, Page 2

THE Grey River Argus. PUBLISHED DAILY. TUESDAY. OCTOBER 1, 1572.

Postponement seems to be the " order of the day" with regard to all measures pretending to beneficially affect the interests of the West Coast. The measure of which the late Premier provided the nucleus, and in which he says he does, and we believe he does, take a very earnest interest, has been several times postponed by his successor, and finally it was postponed on the plea that by Mr Arthur Collins another measure would be introduced — such a measure as, according to his close acquaintance with the requirements of the residents of the West Ooaat, would be likely to prove satisfactory—to himself, wo imagine, and to no one else. " For the sincere intentions of the late Ministry, as the late Ministry would themselves designate their promises—for the subterfuge pretences of the late Ministry, as the member for Hokitika would probably characterise these same promises— Mr ; Stafford substituted a promise that he, and, of course, Mr Curtis, would, "during the receps," and "with a view to bringing forward a measure next session," give their " earnest attention to. the desirability of making . some administrative change in respect to this part of the Colony." ' But, finding that this amiable disposition to do a great many good things at some remote period, was not likely to be relished by the Opposition or by the. population of the Coast, Mr Arthur Collins was, forsooth, selected to introduce a Bill, the sincerity of which we shall say nothing about, but the object of which, so far as it has been indicated, is simply to repeat on the north Bide of the Grey the system of government which, oh the south side of the Grey (to put it in the mildest shape) has not been a success. At this stage the projects for the amendment of the government of the West Coast have for some days stood. On the one hand, and on paper, there is a Bill favoring the unity and uniformity of administration on the West Coast ; on the other, and in mtbihus, there is a Bill founded upon no apparent principle but that of making these Goli Fields once more the theatre of experiments in the direction of establishing the so-called County system. As to the choice which would be made between the two measures by the constituencies, there can be little doubt. The latter we do not believe they would desire to have at any price, perpetuating, as it would, the ancient evils of boundary lines, and aggravating, rather than diminishing, the evils arising from a multiplicity of representative institutions and from a paucity of .proper representative men. The former they desire to have if it can bo accomplished without inflicting injustice upon any division of the districts which it is proposed to join— without, for instance, burdening the Nelson Gold Fields with any portion of the Westland debt, unless there could be shown an adequate quid pro quo ; and if there is a party :n the House who will endeavor to effect 'that object, ik is to that party with whom, on local questions, the constituences' sympathies will go, whatever maybe the eccentric determination of their representatives. Hopeless as the prospect looks, and "pronounced" ,as is the feeling of the present Ministry in favor of postponement, we hope that the session will not close without some substantial effort being made in the direction of consolidating the administration of affairs on the Coast, and that the performances of the members of the late Ministry will not fall short of their past promises. So far as we can understand, the accomplishment of the deed will not fail from want of will, neither will it fail from want of ' i

assistance on the part of our local member. We have, indeed, reason to believe that he is at present aiding in the preparation of a measure which, while it has the favor of the more liberal of the Nelson members,' such as Mr Shephard, is also likely to receive the approval of the members and supporters of the late Ministry ; and we have also reason to believe that it is a measure which, as far as ordinary foresight can go, will prove satisfactory in its operation. In a few days, no doubt, this third measure will be submitted to the House, and it will be strange indeed, if out of the three, notwithstanding the present Government's disposition to " postpone," there should fail to be selected one measure consonant with the popular desire and with the exigencies of the situation.