The Westport Times AND CHARLESTON ARGUS. WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 1868.

Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 358, 23 September 1868, Page 2

The Westport Times AND CHARLESTON ARGUS. WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 1868.

As it seems tolerably certaiu that the fate of existing provincial institutions is sealed, and on their ashes will arise a county system, far more suited to the present condition of the colony, it may be well now to glance generally at the effect such a change may, or must have on the West Coast of this province. There can be little doubt that the Stafford Miuistry, despite the assaults that are so perseveringly made on them, will hold their position and if they do. the sweeping changes already outlined, must of necessity take place. The question comes then, is Westland North prepared to undertake the responsibilities of local self government to a very large extent, as will be offered, or may be forced upon its acceptance. On either side there is much to be said, but beyond all question, the balance is largely, very largely, in favour of the experiment being tried. It is quite true that there is little, if any cause for complaint, as to the manner in which the Provincial authorities have hitherto managed our affairs, on the contrary, thanks to the liberality that has been shown by them to this portion of the province, ain great measure owes its present advancement. When the tie that binds us at present to the other side is broken, as broken it must be some day, the connection will be remembered with gratitude and pleasure, on the part at least of the residents on the West Coast. It is therefore from no dissatisfaction with the present rule, nor from any hope of gaining greater advantages than we possess at present, that the idea of change is entertained, but there is a growing desire for self government, in many respects that is only natural and reasonable in any community that has like that of Westland North, cast off its swaddling clothes. No matter how well we have been treated, how advantageously and judiciously public money has been laid out, we cannot avoid coming to the conclusion, that if it had been more directly entrusted to local hands, itwould at least have been as well, and very probably much better expended. People at a distance cannot, in the nature of things, be as good judges of local requirements as those on the spot ; it is high time that we take upon ourselves the duties that the creation of a County would entail, and that any objection can be raised to this amount of self-dependence we cannot conceive. The County of Westland it is true, did not achieve as great a success as was anticipated by hopeful politicians, but its constitution possessed so many and such serious radical defects, that it is only a matter of surprise it worked as well as it did. During the present session, the bill that created it has been overhauled, and so many, and such extensive alterations have been made, as to render it in fact a new measure altogether, and there is no doubt that in future it will prove the boon that was at first anticipated. It has been said that if this part of the Coast was erected into a county forthwith, there are no men in it capable of taking the helm of affairs, and that in consequence the experiment would be a failure. A County involves no special 'political machinery, it is really only a municipality on a large scale. It needs uo singular ability to direct and manage its affairs, and any one who is competent to manage his own business and can take a common-sense view of such questions as, come before him is fully qualified, to serve it. County Councils are not expected to produce statesmen, and the ridiculous burlesques presented by Provincial Legislatures in this respect cannot be reproduced in them. We presume that if Mr Stafford's policy iB carried out, a general bill for the creation />

these bodies will be passed before the close of the session, in which their powers' will be defined, but till it is before the House we cannot of course give any particulars. In the meantime however, we know that harbors, police, gaols, roads, tracks, and public works generally, would be under their control, and income would be derived as now. with this difference, that much of what now flows into Provincial and General Government coffers would then come into those of the County Council, and that the latter body would have their apportionment over fie whole area of the County, In, brief, the difference would be simply this. At present we receive out of the revenue that is raised from all sources, just so much as the Provincial Council thinks fit to allot to specified works if; we are created a county we appropriate absolutely a certain portion of the local revenue, to be distributed as the Council choose, and in addition, receive a fixed share of the consolidated revenue, or an alternative in the shape of capitation money. Whichever way Counties are endowed, their Councils will have direct control of local interests and things, without possessing any objectionable powers, and it is hardly necessary to dilate on the enormous gain that must be. In future issues we shall again refer to the subject, with a view to show how immediately and directly in other respects County authority can be exerted, for the benefit of County residents. In the meanwhile, let us hope that the public will well consider the subject, so, that when the proposition is made as it will be shortly, a clear expression of opinion may be given without hesitation.