LAST NIGHT'S COUNCIL.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume VIII, Issue 108, 6 May 1873, Page 2

LAST NIGHT'S COUNCIL.

'^alMh^membe^

it is desirable '"■ the . ftepresentallon. Act should be so amended as to give the G-oldfields such % number of members of this Council in proportion to their population as will remove the disparity at present existing to their prejudice.", This was not the first time he had shown an interest in this matter, as in the first session in- which he had sat in the Council he had supported a measure of a similar nature introduced by Mr O'Conor, believing- as he did that. a deal of the unpleasant feeling that existed on the goldfields was owing to the fact that the people considered they were not sufficiently represented in the Provincial Legislature. The action that he had taken in the General Assembly on questions of this kind showed that the same tone of thought was in bis mind at that time. His object might be sneered at by those who would not give credit to anyone for good motives, and who always believed or affected to believe, that there was some ulterior object in view. Those who judged, bthersin that way raustsurely themselves be actuated in what they did by unworthy motives... The chief deßire of the residents on the Goldfields was not merely to obtain so much money, but to have the assurance that they were represented as fully as the settled districts, and were always in a position to insist in the Council upon their fair share of the revenue being allotted to them. Every desire was certainly ehown by the Representatives of the settled districts to do full justice to the Goldfields, but it was one thing to have money given by those who could not know the requirements of the people, and as a matter of grace, and another to be able to claim and obtain it as a right. Class legislation and class representation were to be avoided as much as possible, but there could be no worse description of class representation than that which existed in this province, where with a population of 8000, principally adults, out of a total of 22,000, the goldfields were so disproportionately represented in the Council. The argument that the West ' Coast population was chiefly of a migratory character no longer existed, for the miner who had invested considerable capital in the country had gradually superseded the digger whose sole property consisted of hi& swag, and pick and shovel. He believed that in moving this resolution he was doing nothing- but what was perfectly fair to our fellow-settlers on the West Coast. We were endeavouring to unite with them by roads and trade; let us make a further step and endeavor to secure unity by meting out justice to them. Mr Gcinkess seconded the resolution, and said that at present the prevailing opinion on the Coast *"was that in consequence of the small number of representatives allowed them, it was scarcely worth the trouble of electing members at all. If members of settled districts and Goldfields members were more equalised in the Council, this objection would be removed, and the inhabitants would take a more active, intelligent, and healthy interest in the politics of the country. Hitherto the members in the settled districts had endeavored to act fairly towards the Goldfields, and they should have no fear that if increased representation were granted to the latter, a similar desire to act justly would not be displayed, by them. The proportion of adults to the. total Goldfields population was far greater than in the settled districts, and they produced a greater share of the revenue, and therefore they were fully entitled to that which, was now demanded for them. The Pkotincial Secretary opposed the motion chiefly for the reason that the population of the goldfields was of a migratory character, and not entitled to the same amount of representation as the settled districts. He would instance Charleston, where in the course of two years the population had very largely decreased. It was true that the miners were still in the province, but still they -had- left that district, and had superior attractions offered in Westland or elsewhere they would have, gone there. Mr. O'Conob would appeal to the Electoral 801 lto show whether the West Coast was not entitled to more equal representation, but he . should like to see it take the form of reducing the number of representatives, and so bringing the Council to smaller dimensions. He would prefer to see the Council re-constituted under the New Provinces Act, the officers of the^Government left i out of it, and not so much of a mock Parliament about it. Mr Reid would vote for the motion,: though he did not sup-; port it with any great heartiness, but merely looked upon it as one that might do a little good and could do no harm. ;Tlie representation certainly should be more ; ; ; equalised^but :^ Government mpre^ *,wtipnavtbeVp^ 3diatno|sV^

member should be granted to the large and rising district of the Inangahua, and thought that the Lyell and Matakitaki should be represented, and at the same time he thought the City had too many' members. The West Const had just cause for complaint, for, not one-fifth of the money voted by the Council last year bad been spent upon it, but this was, of course, the fault of the Executive. Mr Shephard having replied, the motion was put with the following result : — Ayes, 9. Messrs Sbephard, A. Adams, Bum, Pinkerton, Guinness, Keid, Ivess, O'Conor, and Donne. Noes, 8. Messrs C. Eelling, Wastuey, Macmahon, Gibbs, Tarrant, Baigent, the Provincial Solicitor, and the Provincial Secretary. — The Pkotincial Secretary moved : — " That, in the opinion of this Council, it is desirable that the Goldfields Act should be amended so as to entitle holders of Agricultural Leases a second term of seven years, at the same rent, and to a Crown Grant at the expiration of such second term without further payment." After some little discussion, it was agreed to refer the question to a Select Committee. The Council then adjourned until to-morrow evening.