POLITICAL.

West Coast Times, Issue 359, 16 November 1866, Page 5

POLITICAL.

Since our last Summary the longprotracted session of the General Assembly closed— one of the latest acts of that body being a strenuous opposition to the bill, introduced by Mr Moorhouse, granting increased representation to Westland — at present possessing only one member in a House of fifty-live ; though our population certainly exceeds 40,000, and that of the entire colony not more than 175,000. Mr Moorhouse only advocated an addition of two members, one for the Grey and one for Hokitika — and that, too, when, to quote his own statement to the House, Westland contained one-fifth of the population of the colony, and contributed more than one-fifth of the revenue ; but the bill, after passing the second reading, was obliged to be with- " drawn, the Government promising that action -would bo taken next session to promote the objects of the bill, so that members could take their seats in about two or three weeks after the Assembly should meet. The new Provincial Couucil of Canterbury opened its first session on the 19th ultimo at which three of the five members of Westland attended, the fourth arriving in time for the next meeting. We regret that the fifth seat will be lost to us this session, as the gentleman elected to fill it — Mr K. 11. Reeves— finding himself unable to leave his business in Hokitika, sent in his resignation, which necessitated another election. The nomination took place on the 3rd inst., Messrs Shaw and Cassius being proposed, and the former gentleman obtaining the show of hands. The poll demanded by Mr Cassius was taken on the 5 th, which resulted in his victory over Mr Shaw by a majority of forty-one ; but, notwithstanding nearly a fortnight has elapsed since the election took place, the seat still remains vacant, and Mr Cassius pursues his avocations in Ilokitika, seemingly satisfied with having obtained the honor, and subordinating the public interest to his private advantage. As it is probable that the sitting of the Council will not extend over another month, we regret to come to the conclusion that Mr Cassius will scarcely have sufficient time to make any great impression on the House, or be of much service to his constituents. It is to be greatly deplored that — with the weighty interests that are involved in the proceedings of the present session, upon which so much of the prosperity of Westland depends — we should be weakened by the subtraction of one-fifth of ouv' strength. Those of our representatives, however, who are at their posts are strenuously endeavoring to benefit the district, and with the happiest results, for the Council appears willing to do all in its power to assist them in remedying past abuses, and establishing a better system for the future. But the want* of political vitality in Christchurch is a considerable damper to the ardor of our representatives, who, to quote our correspondent, must not show themselves too active, and too much in earnest, for fear of being set down as bores. "Your members would stand a far better chance of securing justice and a wise legislation for the district, if there were a larger amount J of political vitality on this side. The humdrum character of the jjroceedings of the Council, the absence of any j ' policy ' on the part of the Government, the monopoly of the time of the House in matters, which seem to a stranger, to be of the most trivial importance ; are all indicative of that marked contrast between the social and political coiaditions of this side as compared to yours. It is a Council, on the face of it, belonging to a people for whom all the more important work of legislation has already been done, and , who only require, now, to have the machinery of government from time to time adjusted and oiled, to have the wear of friction repaired, and an occasional slight alteration effected in its working gear. Such a body is, surely of all, least fitted to work sympathetically with your members in legislating for the government and development of the West Coast goldfields." It is satisfactory to learn, however, that Westland affairs are receiving considerable attention at the hands of the Council, and a disposition is manifested to comply with the most important and reasonable of our requests. Oue question, which closely concerns the interests of this district, has been gently touched upon in the Council — a motion, proposing to throw open for selection " all" the West Coast lands having been introduoed by Mr Johnson. Of course this met with strenuous opposition from our representatives, Mr Whall proposing an amendment in favor of agricultural

settlement under certain, guarantees for the protection of auriferous land. His amendment was seconded by Mr Hoos and supported by Mr Barff, who stated his wish, however, to substitute another amendment for it." Mr John Hall made a short but very sensible speech, preferring the amendment to the resolution, but expressing a hope that both would be withdrawn in order that the llouv might wait for the Government to unfold its proposals. Mr Bcswick followed suit, and Mr Bright deprecated any attempt to dispose of a matter involving such large interests, by the hasty adoption of any binding resolution upon a mere cursory discussion — especially as as he understood the Provincial Secretary was prepared to make a statement on behalf 'of the Government. Mr Stewart made the statement, which was in effect that the Government would .make proposals of their own. The matter rested here, to the great relief of all parties— resolution and amendment being withdrawn. Of course it avouM be impossible for us to notice at length theyarious matters interesting to Westland that have come before the Council ; but the following comprise some of the more important : — The vexed question of town reserves is likely soon to be amicably settled, a commission having been appointed to enquire into and determine all claims, pending the decision of which body matters are allowed to remain in statu quo, the " notices to remove " having been withdrawn. It is understood that the whole subject will be placed at the disposal of the Municipal Council, the Provincial Government going only to the extent of retaining such portions of present reserves as may be absolutely necessary for the accommodation of their own establishments. Mr Bright has also obtained from the Provincial Secretary the promise of an approximate return of the population of Westland, and a further promise to introduce a Bill to hand over Gibson's Quay to the Municipal Council, and to amend the Ordinaucc passed during the last session The Bill to declare valid the '*' election of certain persons to serve as members of the Municipal Council- of Hokitika," has been introduced, and will be passed as a matter of course. The Provincial Secretary stated in answer to a question from Mr Bright that it was the intention of the Government to ask the Council to promote the construction of tramways and other roads on which tolls may be levied on the West Coast by a guarantee under certain conditions of interest upon capital invested in such works. Mr Barff has taken the preliminary steps for the passing of an ordinance to amend the law regulating the profession and practice of medicine, aud an Ordinance to establish a School Board in Westland. • Mr Whall, on putting a question as to the extension of the jurisdiction of the Resident Magistrate at Greymouth, elicited the statement from the Provincial Secretary that the contemplated appointment of a district judge for Westland would render such a step unnecessary. With regard to the future government of the Westland district, the '•Lyttelton Times" has stated so nearly, in a recent article, the prevailing opinion of the residents of this side the range, that we may be excused if we quote somewhat at length from it, more especially when it is believed that the above-named journal is officially " inspired." Our contemporary says — " With the best intensions 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 of the West members to theJSxeculive ; and all must allow it to be a just aud natural arrangement. But it seems as if some further change than even this were called for by the exigencies of the case. The position of the Commissioner is an anomalous one. In one respect he is the mere servant of the Execiitive ; in another he is the absolute ruler of Westland. 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 tho 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 auy 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 M r e 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 Superin-

temlenl and the resident engineer. That is to persons virtually irresponsible will decide on the most important affairs. We think the interests of constitutional government, and in an osp^ci il ni.i'mtT the interest of il.c Wcsthnd population lvquiiv tho (;ha;i';e we hive lvcomniehded. '