The Westport Times. AND CHARLESTON ARGUS. In the cause of Truth and Justice we strive. THURSDAY, MARCH 30, 1871.

Westport Times, Volume V, Issue 795, 30 March 1871, Page 2

The Westport Times. AND CHARLESTON ARGUS. In the cause of Truth and Justice we strive. THURSDAY, MARCH 30, 1871.

The Provincial Council has been summoned to attend on tlie 25th of* AprilWe hope that for the sake of the public purse the session will not bo needlessly prolonged, we also desire it for the sake of those who in attending the Council sacrifice time that can be ill-afforded from their business pursuits. The legislative business, we should imagine, will be light, and, unless members make work for themselves, the session should not exceed three weeks. Last year the Council coutinued sitting for as many months to the intense annoyance of members who desired to see the work got through effectively and expeditiously. We can imagine nothing more wearisome than to be compelled to listen to dull [.latitudes, upon matters of a merely technical character, from members who insist upon address ingthe Council on every subject. Itcertainly must bo greatly discouraging to those, who 'are anxious to get through the business of the Province in a business-like manner, to find their efforts opposed by a few who. are directly interested in dragging out the session. Ifc may be affirmed, without fear of disproof, that the real business done at the last session of the provincial Council could have been completed in two to three weeks by men of ordinary busiues capacity and intelligence who would have given their minds to the task. Instead of this, three months were frittered awaylast year at an expense to the province of from two to three thousand pounds. The questions in connection w r ith the goldue'ds that must press for consideration, are the goldfields water supply, the opening of the lands for sale and settlement, and the working of the coal-fields. The doubt that exists as to the success which may attend the colony in its endeavours to obtain a loan may diminish the interest which would otherwise attach to the question of supplying water to the various goldfields of the province. However, information has been collected as to the requirements of our goldfields' districts, the supplies of water that may be made available to them, and the probable cost of constructing reservoirs, and channels to conduct the water. This information will be laid before the Council, and it will then remain for them to recommend the adoption of any plan they may approve. Provision may also be made for the encouragment of public companies who purpose bringing in water, should the Colonial Grovernment not be in a position forthwith to carry out their scheme. We must confess a doubt as to the success of Mr Vogel's financial arrangements. Should the war in Europe be continued, the fear of possible complications in which the mother country may be involved will deter capitalists from advancing money, tind, in the event of a speedy peace, France will not only become an enormous borrower, to meet her national liabilities, but immense sums will also be required to repair the losses to manufacture and industry by the war. In the latter case, the competition for capital will be Bach, we fear, as to exclude any probability of New Zealand obtainiug a loan on terms such as she would be justified in accepting. The question of throwing open the agricultural lands to encourage the settlement of a permauent population is also one that merits the most careful consideration. We have previously referred to the importance of working the valuable coal deposits of the West Coast, and we can now only recommend the matter to the attention of the Council. Provision must also be made on a very ample scale to meet the growing road requirements of the goldfields. Complaints are coming daily from all quarters that the main tracks, both in this district and in the Grey Valley, are in a wretched condition, and the populalation are also clamouring for the extension of roads and the construction of branch lines. These complaints coming at the commencement of the winter season, are ominously suggestive of dear provisions and of individual inconvenience and discomfort to the great bulk of the population engaged

in tho up country districts. We are well aware that the expenditure in this direction during the past year has not been very large, yet the sums disbursed have not, we contend, been applied most beneficially. If certain sums voted were unexpended, owing to deficiency in the revenue, the least pressing works should have been allowed to stand over. We fear that provision must be made in the face of a very serious decrease in the provincial revenue. The returns for the quarter ending to-morrow will show, upon investigation, a very falling off, and although this has been due chiefly to exceptional circumstances, the returns for the entire financial year will exhibit a considerable falling off upon the previous twelve months. Retrenchment, therefore, will be necessary in order tn keep our expenditure within our means, and at the same time to provide for the urgent requirements of the province. The departmental expenditure must be reduced to the lowest possible amount consistent with the efficacy of the public service. New and unnecessary appointments should not be allowed.