COUNTY SEPARATION.

Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 475, 9 March 1869, Page 2

COUNTY SEPARATION.

{To the Editor of the Westport Times.) Sib, —Although knowing you to he of " secession proclivities" I have made free to address you in the hope that the few remarks I have to make may induce a more thorough ventilation of the important subject of Separation. It has been my lot to have been for the last twelve years subject to the Nelson G-overnment, and I most willingly bear witness to the able manner in which the revenues of the Province have been managed, proving at once a most favourable and striking contrast to the neighbouring provinces, and also to the large number, in proportion to the population, of clearsighted, able men, who have from time to time taken part in the government; and I cannot quietly see an attempt made to dismember the Province without some stronger reasons for the step than have yet been given. It is not long since strenuous efforts were made by our Greymouth neighbours to be annexed to the Nelson Province, the principal argument in favour of it being the more liberal and enlightened views displayed by the Nelson G-overnment in their endeavours to assist the development of the mineral wealth of the coast, when compared with that of the Canterbury Government. Why should such a sudden change come o'er the spirit of our dream ? Is it because the Nelson Government have found it necessary, with a falling re. venue, to retrench the expenditure ; or has any complaint or request made by a majority of the people here, been neglected or unheeded there ? That we are not fairly represented numerically with the city of Nelson it is impossible to deny, but then the fault is partly our own. What steps have been taken by us to secure the services of any really respectable man to represent us in the Nelson Council ? None that I can hear of. It must be fresh in the memory of most of us that it was only by the casting vote that we were saved from being burlesqued at a recent election. While we are contented to show so much apathy in the matter, is it at all likely that the Nelson Government will shew any great attention to our requirements, especially when there are several clever representatives from other parts of the Province equally clamorous for the loaves and fishes, and with more talent and eloquence to back them ?

In your issue o? Saturday I find that the "Westland County Council have succeeded in borrowing the sum of £20,000 —doubtless an excellent investment for the Bank of New Zealand, but I should not think a very eligible one for the already overtaxed inhabitants. From the infirmity of purpose already displayed by their leader, I do not think that if the matter is fairly ventilated we shall have much reason to fear that the Separatists will carry the day. At least such is the hope of one who believes himself to be one of the Majority. "Westporfc, March 8.