The Westport Times. TUESDAY, MARCH 30, 1869.

Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 484, 30 March 1869, Page 2

The Westport Times. TUESDAY, MARCH 30, 1869.

W.E shall not be vain enough to suppose that anything which may have appeared in these columns, or which may have been spoken in West-port in connection with the question of Separation, has brought conviction to the minds of the Nelson Executive, and has induced them to make a show of reducing to a satisfactory basis the representation of the province, jj j s significant, however, that thus early the Executive have, through the columns of the Nelson papers, published the fact that, in the ensuing seasion, they purpose introducing a Bill to reduce the extravagant and altogether unwarrantable number of Provincial Councillors representing " Nelson and its suburbs." It may be that this contemplated reduction has been, as the Nelson Examiner says, " dictated by considerations of economy " only, and by no consideration for the interests of the West Coast, or for the somewhat strong comments which, through the media of priut and speech, have been made upon the subject. But the fact of the early —we hope, not the premature—publication of the Executive's intention, and the fact of its following so closely upon representations made in this district, would almost justify us in believing that there is some connection betweeu the two circumstances ; and, without suggesting how intimate may be that connection, we repeat that the fact is significant. How far it is significant in one direction or the other we shall leave our readers to judge, according to the measure of charity which they may practise or possess. It may be that, sensible only to the justice of the change, and insensible altogether to outward manifestations of discontent, the Executive have initiated the measure which they now promise to introduce. And it may be that they have done so solely in deference to the demonstration made in this district, and to the determination of its inhabitants to submit no longer to Jtho flagrant abuse which, in the very composition of the -Nelson Provincial Council, is perpetrated in the name of representative institutions. In learning of this intention of the Executive, we learn also of a fact which illustrates, more than any arguments which we may have previously adduced, the gross unfairness with which the representation of the Province has hitherto been apportioned. Throughout the discission of the question of Separation, we have written on the assumption thattherewere but twentysix members of Council, and we considered it hard enough that out of that number " Nelson and its suburbs " should have twenty-one, and the South-West Goldfields only five! We now learn, however —and, ofcourse, with shamefacedness fer our past ignorance—that the disproportion has been still greater ; that the total num-

ber of representatives has been twentynine ; and that thus, while the West Coast had a miserable minority of five members, Nelson proper had, and has still, the overwhelming majority of twenty-four I By the contemplated reduction, this monstrous injustice will be so far amended, but will it be sufficiently so to satisfy the wishes or the rights of the inhabitants of this district? We fancy not. The intention is to reduce the number of members from twenty-nine to nineteen, but the number of members from the West Coast is to remain the same. " This," says the Nelson Mail with the utmost complacency, "will to a great extent meet the views of the inhabitants of the West Coast, who will thus have five representatives in the Council, or rather more than a fourth of the whole number." Truly, even that proportion would be an improvement, great compared with matters as they at present exist. But, why only a fourth, or, to speak by the book, " rather more than a fourth '?" Why not a full half? Is not that the proportion to which, either on the basis of revenue or population, the district is entitled ? Hitherto -we have been content to accept the census tables as sufficiently representing the population of the district, but even in that particular we had given to Nelson more than its due, for it is well enough known, and, in fact, was distinctly placed on record by the late Commissioner, that the figures fell short of the actual population by at least 1500 ; the census in such a district as this being necessarily less perfect than in the other part of the Province, where the facilities for obtaining correct information were more complete. With this allowance made, the population of the two districts is, as nearly as possible, equal; and we have yet to learn why the representation should not also be equal. To this, however, and to the whole subject of re - adjusting the representation, our local members will in a month hence have an opportunity of giving their attention ; and we rely upon it that, whiie they may not seek to increase the number of representatives of the West Coast, they will at least endeavor to pass only such a Bill as will leave the representation more proportionate than it is at present. So far as we understand, the proposed reduction is to be effected by depriving Nelson of two members, Waimea East of two, aud Waimea South and Moutere of one each. The number of members on the new basis will be —For the City of Nelson, four members. Suburbannorth District, one member. Waimeaeast District, two members. Waimeasouth District, two members. Wai-mea-west District, one member. Motueka District, two members. Amuri District, one member. Golden Bay District, one member. Buller District, two members. Charleston District, one member. Grrey District, two members.