DIVISION OF COUNTY.

Patea Mail, 23 July 1881, Page 3

DIVISION OF COUNTY.

The question of forming a new County stands in this position. The petition must be signed by not less than threefifths of the ratepayers within the proposed area. A petition originating in Hawera, signed numerously in the northern district, asks for a new County to be formed between the Manawapou river and the northern boundary of the present County ; and this petition is now in Wellington, though it does not appear to have been laid before Parliament. The petition should have been laid before the Assembly within ten days after the opening of the session. If so laid, and if no resolution be passed by both Houses objecting to the proposed new County, the Governor shall issue a proclamation constituting the new County, this coming intojforce the dayiafter the conclusion of the then session of Parliament. It will be seen that the option of assenting to the petition lies practically with the Government, who can'ask the Houses to negative the petition by resolution, on the ground that to divide one County would lead to agitations for dividing Counties in all parts of the colony. The Government might choose to let the petition take silent effect. A protest has been sent to the Government from another part of the present County, against any sub-division at a time when the Patea County has Just become entitled to separate representation in Parliament. 1

This protest, so far as we understand, is not against the right of j the northern district to have separate County management, but expresses desire to prevent the defeat of the movement for securing County representation. That distinction is important. Why should southern ratepayers in this County deny separate local management to the northern portion? That would be the interpretation put on a counter-petition, if one were got up. Northern ratepayers are clearly entitled to the best form of local government the/ can get, and this journal can have no share in suppressing their natural and proper ambition. ' It may be an expensive ambition, bat that is chiefly their affair. If they are willing to pay the piper, they have a right to choose a new tune. The main objection that can be reasonably urged is that the defection-of the northern portion will cause more expense to the whole by increasing the proportionate cost of official salaries and of the County Hospital. That aspect of the case is important to the remaining portion of the County, which would be saddled with the whole Cost of this machinery, instead of paying about half. Still, it is not a sound or healthy principle to deny separate management to one half the County* if the whole County cannot work harmoniously. Sympathies should be broad in this matter as in others. . It seems to us that, rather than get up a counter petition, we should agree amicably to let separation take its course, in the belief that the two Counties might still be united as one electorate. It would be well if a cordial understanding of this nature could be arrived at. We are neighbors, and once our County jealousies are removed, we could pull together as one political electorate. Lotus agree in that. ,