WEST COAST TIMES, SATURDAY, AUGUST 2, 1863.

West Coast Times, Issue 36, 26 August 1865, Page 2

WEST COAST TIMES, SATURDAY, AUGUST 2, 1863.

The West Coast has become so far populated, and with such a prospect of not being ■again deserted, that an influential member of the General Assembly — Mr J. E. FitzGerald — has been induced to bring forward a bill providing for the representation of this part of the community in the Provincial Council of Canterbury. We are agreeably surprised at the quarter from which this valuable assistance has come. Mr FitzGerald is, in many respects, a Conservative, and strong opinions relative to the inexpediency of extending the franchise to the mining population have been attributed to him. Ho has probably foreseen, however, that a concession was absolutely necessary, and has acted with good judgment in taking the load in a movement which was certain ere long to be initiated ; and which it would be impossible to withstand when backed by the full tide of public opinion on this side of tho Province. Mr FitzOcrald's measure contemplates giving only two members to the West Coast, and we are not inclined to quarrel with him on the ground that ho might have stretched his generosity a little further nnd put down double that number. We ■ do not wish to bo understood to say that tlio mining interest, and other interests which novv exist, or may shortly arise on tho West Coast, will bo fairly represented by two members ; but it is a great thing • to have the thin edge of a wedge inserted — to have it affirmed thus early in the history of the Canterbury goldfields that the necessarily unsettled habits of tho majority of the individuals composing a mining

population ought not to act as a bar to the representation of the population as a whole. Thero are, we believe, ultra-liberals who would base a system of representation on the test of population alone ; but with such wo have no sympathy. That section of the community which represents the fixed ' wealth of the country — which possesses the soil or is intimately bound up with tho interests o? those Who do — that section which may reasonably be expected to have the welfare of the country most nearly at heart, seems to us to have a right to the lion's share of the legislation. It would be obviously unfair, then, to swamp the Provincial Council of Canterbury with members representing, doubtless, a very large section of the comimtnity, but a section which at all events, as yet, must be looked on principally in the light of sojourners in the land. On the other hand, it is just 'and politic that a goldfields population should be represented sufficiently to make its influence felt, and this we contend is as much for the benefit of the other portions of the community as it is for the miners themselves To govern well it is necessary to govern cheaply, and those acquainted with the wishes and requirements of a community are those best calculated to give such advice as will lead to so desirable a consummation. Canterbury has to govern th c Western as well as the Eastern portion of her territory, and may find, unless she possess sound practical information regarding the requirements of the forme\\ that it would have been better for her that the goldfields had nover been discovered. From goldfields members sho can alone expect to obtain such information, and she should, therefore, cordially endorse the provisions of Mr Fitzgerald's representation bill.

It would be a great and fatal mistake to look on the West Coast solely in tho light of a goldfield. The mines have served to attract tho population in the first place, but. the natural advantages which the country offers for permanent settlement will, if backed by wise and liberal legislation, induce many to separate themselves from " the crowd of adventurers," aad become colonists in the true sense of the term. Already a disposition has been displayed by many to settle on the land with a view to its immediate cultivation, but the sweeping proclamation which constituted the West Coast a goldfield — a proclamation certainly necessary at the time — has hitherto effectually debarred would-be agriculturists from the realisation of their wishes. It seems to us that in no way could the goldfields members be of greater service than in pointing out, after due deliberation and consultation with their constituents, the best system under which land may bo leased or sold for farming purposes on the West Coast. In spite of high wages, in spite of the density of the bush every where to be found, tho raising of crops would be a speculation by which men might grow rich whilst they were conferring a real benefit on their fellows. We are, of course, aware that certain rcguations for the leasing of land in small blocks are in force here. Such leases have been applied for, though not as yet granted. Moreover it is certain that, as soon as- they aro granted, the land will be cleared and tilled at once ; but this leasing system does not adequately meet the case. The size of tho blocks (10 acres) and the conditions of the tenure, are not such as to hold out any strong inducements for tho expenditure of capital. If Canterbury wishes to settle the West Coast sho must be prepared to consent to somo adjustment of tho land question on this side of the mountains which might bo altogether unsuitable to the other. Tho Provincial Council has no authority on such a matter, but it can carefully consider tho subject with a view to future legislation elsewhere, and the opinion of goldfields mombers should havo duo weight in leading to the adoption of resolutions. If it wore for no other reason than the above, wo shouldtbo thankful for Mr Fitzgerald's representation bill.

And then comes the question — "will tho West Coast send worthy representatives to the Council ? That there are men amongst us well able to fulfil tlio part worthily and efficiently wo do not doubt, but whether they would bo willing to sacrifice time and money for the public good to tho extent of undertaking a journey to Christchurch and back, and remaining from home during the period occupied by a session, is a very different thing. It is a " breeches-pocket" consideration, and a very serious one, moro especially with tho difficulty of communication which at present exists. Tho only men who could represent tho West Coast properly in the Council are ongaged in business ; and it remains to be seen which has i^o greatest value in their sight— the

public good or " almighty dollars." Truly we fear, in too many instances, the dollars will have the best of it. We do not, however despair. There is some little honor attaching even to a seat in the Provincial Council of Canterbury ; our business men are not, we suppose, totally destitute of public spirit; and the completion of tho line of telegraph will enable it to bo known at what precise hour it becomes necessary for a goldfiold's member to " bolt " from tho Council Chamber and take tho overland route, to put a stopper on the nefarious transactions of Tomkins, or to prosecute Smiler for arson.