THE GOVERNMENT OF WESTLAND.

West Coast Times, Issue 358, 15 November 1866, Page 2

THE GOVERNMENT OF WESTLAND.

(FROM THE LYTTELTON TIMES, NOV. 6.)

The good understanding which at present subsists between the different portions of the province of Canterbury is not likely to be disturbed, even by the mischievous attempts of those who openly strive to sow jealousy and dissension between them. The peculiar requirements of tho goldfields are receiving every attention from the Superintendent and the - Executive ; and the residents of the West Coast generally are satisfied that the representations made for them in the Provincial Council are certain to have all due influence. The people of the West Coast must share with those of the East the burdens imposed by northern wars, and by, the long mismanagement of native affairs ; but a cordial understanding and united action on the part of both will secure immunity from any like additional impositions in the future. And nothing else will do it. Were the unblushing efforts now made to cause differences and divisions unhappily successful, nothing would be easier than for a centralising Government to play off the one agaiust the other, and to plunder both. There is but one ground of real difference at present existing, and this is to be found in the legacy left us b} r the late Government of Messrs Bealey and John Hall. It is to be hoped that -ill possible forbearance will be shown in settling this vexed question, and that the principle of applying the funds raised on either side of the range to works on the same side, will be allowed to apply to the past as well as to the future.

We have on several occasions indicated what steps seemed necessary for developing the resources of the West Coast, and we believe that we expressed the general sentiments of the goldfields' community. To open up the country by blaze tracks from the coast to the foot of the great range, at an average distance of five miles apart, and to connect these now and again at the places where the character of the ground was most favorable for the work, has all along seemed to us a work of prime necessity. The extension of telegraphic communication between all the larger settlements along the coast, and the formation of a good ordinary road or tramway, ought to go hand in hand. But it appears to be a matter of the most obvious justice that-the character of the West Coast works should be mainly decided on the spot. With the best intentions any Executive formed exclusively of East Coast members, and meeting only at Christchurch, cannot be supposed to have the practical knowledge requisite to enable them to decide upon these matters. It was understood to have been the intention of the Superintendent to call one the West members to the Executive : and all must allow it to be a just and natural arrangement. But it seems as if some further change than even this were called for by thY exigencies of the case. The position of the Commissioner is an anomalous one. In one respect he is the mere servant of the Executive; in another he is the absolute ruler of Westlarid. Let it be

understood that we make no personal reference to Mr Sale ; and that whatever changes we venture to suggest are not made with the view of superseding him, but with the view of providing greater efficiency. It seems to us that Westland may fairly claim to have two members in the Executive, and that the office of Secretary for the West Coast public works department might very properly supersede the Commissionership. Two members, sitting with the Superintendent during his visits to Westland, might form a very efficient Board, and, there would be little likelihood of any conflict between them and the complete Executive of which they would form a local committee. Two great advantages would be secured by such an arrangement. There would be the immediate and intimate acquaintance with the wants of the district possessed by these resident members, and ready communication between them and the people on the one side, and with the central Executive on the other. This scheme would also give the people of Westland an immediate, direct, political control over the membership of the Executive ; for one of the two members whom we propose should form a resident Executive in Westland would naturally hold a seat in the Provincial Council, while the other might not. The changes necessary in the number of the Executive would, of course, have to be effected by a bill, in the usual way ; but we do not anticipate that any difficulties are likely to arise on this point. The position occupied in the Imperial Government by the Lord Advocate for Scotland, and the Irish Secretary, represents very much what would be secured by the arrangement of which we now speak. And it is as well to recognise frankly that unless this, or a similar arrangement is made, the virtual control of the public works on the West Coast will lie with the Superintendent and the resident engineer. That is to say, persons virtually irresponsible, will decide en the most important affairs. We think the interests of' constitutional government, and in an especial manner the interests of the Westland population require the change we have recommended. And however much certain political enemies have insinuated, or openly adduced the charge of opposite tendencies against the Superintendent, we are quite convinced there is uot the slightest ground for it. There is very considerable difficulty in forming a right estimate of the population actually resident upon the West Coast. And this naturally tells upon the opinions that might be expressed as to what is really its adequate representation in the Provincial Council. There is further to be taken into consideration the great difficulty experienced in securing a sufficient number of properly qualified representatives. The general character of the pursuits of the community has a very considerable effect upon this. But there can be little question about the need of enlarging the proportion of West Coast representatives. We hope, however, for the reasons now stated, and for others to which we have previously referred, that this will be done, at least partly, by a reduction of the number of representatives for the East Coast. For example, we could easily give up the member for Mount Cook Let the gentleman who occupies that high position have an enlarged constituency, including some of the most southern settlements of Westland. We need not specify other combinations which might be effected. In spite of the unwillingness which may be felt so soon to alter recent arrangements, the sudden changes in the province demand some modifications in the distribution of seats. We fear Lyttelton will, in event of this question being taken up, lose one, if not two, of its members.

Two new members, and the representative of Mount Cook, ought, we think, to satisfy our Westland friends. With every inclination to see most ample justice done to the West Coast we cannot keep out of view the very great difference between the shifting population that may in a year or two be located anywhere but in Canterbury, and those who, by their purchase of land and their other investments, have jDermanently identified themselves with this settlement.

The members for Westland in the Provincial Council have hitherto shown themselves fully alive to the interests of their own constituents without betraying any jealousy or suspicion of the intentions either of Government or their fellow-representatives. The manner in which the motion of the member for Riccarton was allowed to fall to the ground must have proved to them how far the East Coast members are, as a rule, from being inclined to countenance any reckless encroachment upon the interests or reasonable claims of the West.