The Westport Times AND CHARLESTON ARGUS. SATURDAY, JANUARY 2, 1869.

Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 444, 2 January 1869, Page 2

The Westport Times AND CHARLESTON ARGUS. SATURDAY, JANUARY 2, 1869.

It is now nearly time that the inhabitants of the district, or, at least, those of them who possess the technical qualifications of electors, were beginning to realise the fact that a date no later than Saturday next is fixed for the nomination of a member of the Provincial Council. The votaries of pleasure cannot complain of the length of the season which has been allotted for their special delectation, and probably as much may be said for those the motto of whoso private business is " to make hay while the sun shines." The transference of their attention to public matters for a little time cannot now be an unreasouable request. They are probably sufficiently acquainted with the maxims which exist as to civilized communities having their duties, as well as pleasures and privileges, to render our quotation of any such stale items of proverbial philosophy altogether unnecessary. From the little interest which has hitherto been taken in the election—from the absolute absence of an? interest whatever —it seems really to be

a question, at the present moment, whether Westport means to return a member to the Nelson Council or not. Nobody has offered himself as a candidate ; the name of nobody who is anybody has been even hinted at; and nobody has been solicited to stand. The disposition seems to be to return, not a nobody, as might happen in five cases out of six, but to return nobody at all. We say the disposition seems to lie in that direction, but we are by no means assured that it does so. It may ; and it may not. Such a tiling, it is true, has happened in the case of Timaru, whose constituency wilfully and literally disfranchised itself, so far as refers to their relationship with the Canterbury Council. But Timaru's antagonism to the Canterbury Government was asserted long before it had adopted this extremity, and its conduct in adopting it was perfectly comprehensible. If "Westport means to adopt the same course in relation to the Nelson Government, the action would certainly not be so comprehensible, although we do not say it would be altogether without excuse. It would be Jess comprehensible because there has hitherto been more a negative than a positive and active exhibition of the discontent which may be felt with the Nelson Government, and it would not come in the natural order of things. We can only see that it would be excusable as a sort of " trump card" played off to lead the the game of Separation. It would simply be a transposition in political tactics. The Omega of the Timaru people would be the Alpha of those of Westport. What they kept in the rear and reserve, we should bo placing in the van. Timaru first injured Canterbury by exclaiming for Separation, and then insulted it by refusing to return a member ; Westport would be beginning with the insult, and following up with the injury. Of course, this is hypothetical. It may be ; and it may not. Appearances justify us in slying that it looks very like as if it were to be. But the absolute facts are that no public expression has yet been given as to the feeling for or against Separation and the establishment of a County System. The " feelers" which were resolved upon by the Progress Committee have probably not yet reached iheir destinationf. At any rate there has been no tangible indication of the feeling, much less a deliberate and determined utterance.

It is to be hoped that, if there is any meaning in the indifference and absence of action with regard to the return of a member, there will not continue to be a mere implication of meaning, but that what is meant will be said, For indifference and inaction, there should be substituted, at least, an expression of the feeling that none should be returned. Always supposing that such a feeling exists, let it be expressed by public resolution. Half-measures are often dangerous, and, in any event, would not in such a case be creditable to local political spirit. "We do not venture to say that it would be recommendable not to return a member. More especially at this present election we think it would be highly advisable to do so. The agitation for Separation has not yet advanced to anything like the stage in which, as we think, such a step would be wisely taken. While the feeling may be permitted to grow and to develop itself, the constituencies may do well to protect themselves by having a representative present in the Council. It is certainly, and, perhaps, with propriety, felt that he could do no good there, but the entire absence of a member would, in all probabilty, do some harm. In speaking of the absence of interest on the part of the electors, and of ambition on the part of those who might well be candidates, we, of course, refer more especially to the town. With the feeling, or the facts as to the presence of eligible, men in the mining districts with which the town is associated, we are not so fully acquainted. It may be that the miners have a man or men in reserve, to compete with any candidate whose " cloth" might not be altogether agreeable to their tastes. If there be such a man, it is time he were declaring himself. It would be pitiful to see the field taken by any nonentity on the eve of election, and to find him foisted into a position of honor by a " fluke.""