The Westport Times AND CHARLESTON ARGUS. In the cause of Truth and Justice we strive. TUESDAY, AUGUST 29, 1871.

Westport Times, Volume V, Issue 855, 29 August 1871, Page 2

The Westport Times AND CHARLESTON ARGUS. In the cause of Truth and Justice we strive. TUESDAY, AUGUST 29, 1871.

A sebies of resolutions, published in I another column, are to be brought for- | ward by Mr Harrison in the House of Representatives on the 7th proximo. The resolutions bave for their object the severance of the Nelson SouthWest G-oldfields from Nelson, and the abolition of the Westland County Council. It is proposed that the various districts, at present known as Wardens' districts, shall become road Board districts, with the warden as chairman of the board ; its revenue to consist of rates levied on ratable property, a proportion of the land, fund, and of moneys raised under any goldfields or gold duty Act. These boards are to have no legislative functions, their duties beifrg" Hhritea to the construction and management of of public works in their respective districts,. The management of the public gaols and hospitals ; the control of the Wardens' Courts, the administration of the Survey and Waste Land departments, and the construction of main roads will devolve upon the Colonial Governmeut.

The advantage, so far as these goldfields are concerned, is not so apparent from a pecuniary point of view under the proposed arrangement. Not having been indulged hitherto with the whimsicalities of a county council we are, perhaps, not well calculated to estimate fairly the reluctance with which our neighbours may be disposed to relinquish an institution which, if it has not added greatly to the dignity of the community, has proved at least a wondrous source of amusement. But, while asked to dispense with their Council they are not also required to submit to any additional taxation. All the machinery of government which would become requisite under the proposed change, is already possessed by them—the towns have their municipalities, and the country districts have their road boards, and the rates levied by each would probably be- lessened rather than increased in view of the management of the more expensive departments being taken over by the Colonial Government. With us the case wears a different complexion, as we possess no local bodies armed with the power to execute works of local necessity, and on the other hand we arc spared the unpleasantness of putting our hands in our«pockets for the payment of rates. Still, we believe that it is a fact which admits of no argumsnt that Westland is better governed than these goldfields, and that in proportion to the means which have been available under the altered circumstances of the financial relations of the county with the colony, the community of Westland have enjoyed very superior facilities in the matter of improved and increased internal commuication.. It will thus appear that if Westland has submitted to an additional taxation it has brought with it some advantage. Our argument is, however, that in the present condition of the goldfields any additional taxation is unnecessary in order to provide for the requirements of these districts. The fact of the Colonial Government being requested to assume the management and control of the police, gaols, hospitals, and other departments, would require some further alteration to be made in the financial relations. That portion of the customs revenue, at present paid to the provinces in the form of a capitation allowance, might revert to the colony and would form a set-off to the additional services devolving upon the Colonial Government, leaving the large sums accruing from the gold export duty and the goldfields revenue to be expended by the various boards of roads and works. Much has been said of late with regard to the abolition of the gold duty. The majority, however, of the adherents of this doctrine lose sight of the fact that inj doing away with this source of income it would have to be replaced by some other and" probably one which v/ould operate more unfairly and not be so inexpensively collected : We quite agroe with the mover of the resolutions that all the departments mentioned, as also others—such as education, could be as efficiently and more

heaply manag ed by tho colonial authorities ; but we also think that snch a saving should bo effected as would enable the district boards to have sufficient funds available for local works without having recourse to any additional direct taxation.