The Manawatu Times. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 7, 1877.

Manawatu Times, Volume II, Issue 40, 7 March 1877, Page 2

The Manawatu Times. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 7, 1877.

After the meeting of the Manawatu County Council held on the 31st January last, we had fondly hoped that no differences of any magnitude would be likely to occur between members of the Council for some considerable time to come at all events ; and we were led to give expression to strong feelings of satisfaction consequent upon the action of councillors at that meeting. It then appeared as if the two parties which constituted the Council at its initiation to public life had become fused, and that the Councillors one and all. having seen the folly of the course pursued at their first meeting, were willing to bury their differences and work m unison for the good of the County as a whole. But, alas ! for human forecasting and predictions ! The sentiment given expression to by Burns is even yet true — " The best laid schemes o' mice an' men gang aft a-gley." However firmly our Councillors may have made up their minds at that meeting to let bygones be bygones, the special meeting held on "Wednesday last reveals to us the fact that they have unadvisedly departed from that intention, and m doing so have displaced a spirit derogatory to men occupying their honorable position. With the motion brought forward by Councillor Halcombe, relative to granting an extra member to the Manchester Riding, we have no fault to find. We cannot but consider that it was perfectly reasonable, and m accordance with the true spirit of representative government. Under the circumstances it was natural that Councillor Halcombe should seek to have another member given to the riding he represents. The facts stated by him too m support of his motion, as to the population, rates, and area of the Manchester Riding, we believe to be indisputable. It is a fact patent to all, and one we believe tacitly admitted by every Councillor, that an injustice has been done to the Manchester Riding. It is likewise a fact that the Council, at the special meeting held on Wednesday last, had the power of altering that injustice, at least prospectively ; and we hold that the action of those members of the Council who opposed Councillor Halcombe's motion was impolitic m the extreme ; inasmuch as it manifested a spirit of unfairness m perpetuating an existing injustice. The amendment of Councillor Gtower — " That the granting an extra member to the Manchester Riding be deferred for twelve months, and if it should then be Councillor Halcombe's wish to urge, the question the Council will be happy to discuss it on the merits of their experience," may perhaps be characterised as clever. At all events it was a nice way of shirking an important question for the time being. On the side of those opposed to the morion it may be argued, m terms of the Counties Act, "That whilst the Council has the power by special order of altering the number of members, that such alteration can only come into force at a general election of the Council," and as the first of such general elections will not take place before November,

187 V -, it would be useless at this early stage of the existence of the Council to pass such an order. In support of the reasonableness of Councillor Halcombe's motion, it may be submitted that, on behalf of his constituents, he was smarting under an injustice that had been done them, and having appealed to the Council to recognise the existence of that injustice, it was but reasonable that they should do so, and m passing the motion proposed by him, show that they were willing as far as lay m their power to right the wrong that had been done. Had the Council unanimously passed Councillor Halcombe's motion, we feel assured that the threat given expression to by him would never have been uttered. That the threat was made under great provocation we a,re quite prepared to admit, but withal we do not see that it was justifiable. Sorry would we be to see our County divided. Whilst m a state of union we have no fear as to its future prosperity. That which is wrong will m time be righted ; and though Palmerston and Feilding members may now be m the minority — and even should this state of things continue for an indefinite length of time — it is clear that they carry with them considerable influence m the Council ; and may by steady perseverance, by patience, and by importunity gain for their constituents all that is desirable. .We look upon the members representing the several ridings of our County as partners m a firm with large interests at- stake. Several of these partners are m the minority. They feel that full justice has not been done them. Their voice when raised is listened to, but still decisions adverse to their private interests are come to, and consequently they are dissatisfied. One of two courses is open to them — viz., to disconnect themselves from the firm and thereby severely injure or bring ruin upon its prospects ; or, submit for the time being to the injustice, trusting to experience to prove the soundness and reasonableness of their suggestions. By severing themselves from it they bring at least comparative ruin upon its members individual^ and collectively. By remaining identified with it, they may submit to an injustice, but they protect the general interests of the firm, and m so doing preserve their own. We think that the constituencies if appealed to will se.Q that it is to their intei'est to ■ preserve the unity of the County ; but we trust that Councillor Halcombe, upon reflection, will reverse his decision m this matter, and seek by efforts m another direction to secure the object he has m view. We also trust that the Councillors who opposed his motion will not again, upon such apparently slight grounds, record their votes against a motion so reasonable as was Councillor Halcombe's. One or two important subjects present themselves m connection with the recent meeting of our County Council, the which we have not at present space to enlarge upon, but will take an early opportunity of placing our views with regard to them before our readers.