WEST COAST MISCONCEPTION.

Grey River Argus, Volume XII, Issue 1448, 22 March 1873, Page 2

WEST COAST MISCONCEPTION.

[NELSON COLONIST.] ; ; Most of the difficulties that have arisen between Nelson and the West Coast, apart from the inaction of the Provincial Government, can be .traced to a want of mutual understanding between the people of the several divisions. While , the re- • presentatives of the settled districts have; at all times shown a readiness, amounting it might be said to eagerness, to concur in any well considered scheme calculated to advance the interests of the mining community, the complete neglect by a Super? intendent, elected chiefly by Nelson votes),' to make propositions for local Govern^ ment and expenditure on the goldfields has led their, inhabitants to believe, that the inertness of the Government has been approved of by the people of Nelson, and that they would combine to maintain Mr Curtis in office because, they favor hia *■ policy. Of all the misconceptions this is the farthest removed from the truth; Anxious to advance the prosperity of the| whole Province, and we 1 frankly say^ to maintain its integrity, *a large maibrlty o.f the people on this aide are no leaa determined than thoße of the West Ooait

that Mr Curtis will never again be elected Superintendent. Neither party spite, nor personal ill-will has served to bring about this resolution. It is based on a settled conviction, that under his rule, no real attempt is made to do anything more than tide over temporal/ troubles and soothe local complaints. In short, the evil of being governed by one who letsall things drift without any effort at guidance, and witness unmoved the decay of all industrial interests, anil the rapid departure of the most useful part of the population, is felt to be vastly greater than could possibly spring from the election of an active, if not infallible chief, whose honest impulses would certainly land him right at last. Many of those who are now determined to effect a change, were formerly among the warmest supporters of Mr Curtis, and, rather in sorrow than in anger, have been brought to the conclusion that his reign must be ended. Personally their friendly feelings are unchanged, and they would prefer that- he should retire gracefully from a position which he has proved himself incompetent

For continuation of News, see Uh page,

to fill, rather than he should embitte opposition by agaiu contesting an election, certaiuly at great cost to himself, and with no hope, of any other result than ignominious defeat. Though Mr Curtis, after six years of utter inaction, may now adopt the plans of others [the West Coast Bills introduced by Mr Collins Tvnd Mr Shepherd] to aid him iv his desperate. struggle for ji renewal of his lease of bfficej the settled districts will npt waver in their determination to effect a change, -nor do we be,lieve the West Coast electors will be deluded by this deathbed repentance to, forego the accomplishiriettt of their settled purpose. Better far than doubting each other would it be for the mining and agricultural communities to put away all jealousies, and unite theii^ forces to secure the return of a Superintendent, who is not afflicted with "invincible ignorance" of popular wants, and who would actively and resolutely exert himself to make the Province of Nelson, what by nature it is formed to be, one of the first, instead of what it is now, one of the last in the Colony.