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Nelson Evening Mail, Volume II, Issue 166, 18 July 1867, Page 3

'The question of Government aid towards the development of the coal-fields of the province will come before the Council tonight, and while the desirability of some aid for this purpose is conceded on all hands, considerable difference of opiuion seems to exist as to the form which that aid should take. The principal recommendation offered by the Select Committee now sitting on the Coal-fields is, that the .greatest eucouragement should be afforded to the development of theßuller, coal-field. Now, if any results ensue from aid in this quarter (of which, judgiug from its proposed amount, we are inclined to be sceptical), the consequence would simply be the fostering of the trade of Melbourne with our West Coast, by providing a back freight for vessels trading between that port and the gold-fields, to the still further detriment of the trade of this port. ! »The Committee recommend the expenditure of a very small sum upon the Blind Bay coal-fields, so small indeed that we understand it is considered desirable that the whole of it should be given to one ; mine. The other proposal emanates from Mr E. Burn, and is based on the principle 1 that it is of primary importance to this city kjDhat the working of coal-mines in its should be promoted. It proposes to extend aid impartially to all individuals or companies raisiDg good steam coal, the aid to be proportioned to the results obtained. This we conceive to be the more equitable proposal, and it has, at all events, one great point in its favor, — that it excludes favoritism. We therefore trust that the Council will adopt Mr Burn's r proposition, which, we may also observe, ,• is commendable on the score of economy, ". since the provincial coffers would only be dipped intp in the event of success attending the enterprise of the miners who may assay the devlopement of these coali fields.