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Grey River Argus, Volume XVI, Issue 2045, 26 February 1875, Page 2

The " West Coast Times" devotes a column .of its editorial columns to the sayings and doings of the Provincial Council, complaining of the purposeless and continuous waste of time which is caused by the action of some of its members. We quote a passage from our contemporary's article : — "These fictitious performances have been going on for some time, but during the last two nights they have culminated in what terminates public patience, and what might justifiably terminate the existence of the Council as a public body, but for a circumstance similar to that which protracted the existence of Sodom and Gomorrah — there are Btill some good men among the Councillors. Youth in some cases ; ignorance in others, the same being allied, as it usually is, with impudence ; a'xl inexperience on the part of some, allied with primitive simplicity, have contributed to contemptible results, so far as t lie Council has proceeded, and in their own interests the Councillors will have to ccc to it that they do not cover themselves with contenjpt. They are rapidly approaching that undesirable denouement . and it is the part of the older and the butter members to make a stand against i tale* able intrusion upon the decencies and proprieties of debate, and to conduct; their proceedings with close observance of Standing Orders, and under the ruling of the best men whom they can select. This has not invariably been done; in f.-ct the variation is in the other direction ; and the accustomed legislator, or<;he ace ■• sr.omed Councillor, owes it to himself, and to the Province, to contribute to the correction of those who do not, or who will not, know what are the elements of hmest popular representation." It i$ possible that every word of the above quotation is quite true; at any rate it s evident, that the business of 'he Council is conducted in the loosest and most slovenly manner, that time and money are vi asted in personal recriminations and discussions of irrelevant subjects, and that important questions are unintelligently dealt with. It is painful to read the debates as reporter, and to witness the placidity with which the Council permits some two or three members to outrage Standing Orders and all the proprieties of Parliamentary CDnduct. Much of this is due to the inexperience and gush of some of the members, but the Government is not without blame in j the matter. The Executive, however well intent ion ed they may be and however desirous of expediting the public business, have not the courage of their position, » nd appear to have no influence over the Council, instead of being able to lead it an<l control its action within proper limits. The Superintendent is not less to blame for confining himself to his purely official duties. It was intended that he should take his seat in the Council, and in not doing so he is evading one of the responsibilities of his position. It is no excuse to say that the Council have the Executive there — it is a mere shuffle to account for his absence on this ground. Had Mr Bonar taken part in the proceedings there is no doubt the business would have been better, quicker, and more satisI factorily disposed of.