The Westport Times. TUESDAY, JUNE 4, 1872

Westport Times, Volume VI, Issue 976, 4 June 1872, Page 2

The Westport Times. TUESDAY, JUNE 4, 1872

Eemejibering the truism that men convinced against their wills still cherish covertly their first opinions, it can easily be imagined that Mr Kynnersley's plain ungarbled statement of facts and figures, during the recent discussion on the Estimates in the Provincial Council, fell on deadened ears, and that few listeners in the Council Chamber, save West Coast members, would admit, however much their knowledge of actual facts and working details might convince them, that long continued injustice has been perpetrated in the management of the South West Goldfields. Some there might be to whom the financial statement of Mr Kynneis'ey was as a new told tale, unfolding a startling array of formidable facts, demolishing with instant and effectual sweep, their hazy theories of Provincial politics. To them the loud proclaimed, the of: reiterated cry that the Goldfields are a burden to Nelson, a very millstone round the neck to settled districts, may have been accepted, in homely phrase, as Gospel truth. In their very simplicity they may have laid " the flattering unction to their souls " that they, as individuals and legislators deserve to have their names emblazoned on the scroll of fame as great and good philanthropists, who in a spirit of pure magnanimity and utter abuegation of self, have extended their protection and the civilizing influence of wise aud liberal legislation to the half tutored denizens, the waifs and strays of humanity congregated amid the wastes and wolds of the West Coast, Absorbed in looking after the the petty interests of their very petty constituencies, anxious only to gain the applause of the parish vestries by whom they have been pitchforked into office, knowing little and caring lea's fpr the broad and liberal ethics of legislative functions, it can be well imagined that Mr Kynnersley's calm deliberate assertion that the Estimates as laid before the Council were grossly unfair to the communities living on the South West Goldfields, backed up as the assertion was by a formidable array of figures ; must for the moment have placed them in utter bewilderment. True, however, to their instincts of self interest, they took care to permit no expression of half awakened conviction to escape their lips. The " hear hears " and applause were kept

in reserve aud they waited warily to greet the words of their own oracle. Still there must have been some among the assembled legislators, other than the Q-oldfields members, to whom Mr Kynnersley's utterances must havo carried conviction, and it augurs badly for future proofs of the sincerity of their protestations that full justice shall be meted out to the G-oldfiolds, when so few words are placed on record in support of his arguments from members representing the Nelson district proper. The Provincial Treasurer's reply was, as a defence called forth at short notice, an exceedingly good proof that as thoroughly posted up in the duties of his department, and withal possesed of no inconsiderable share of ready tact and business ability, coupled with what all Provincial Treasurers have not, a power to instantly deal with figures, Mr Shepherd is an estimable public servant, but his defence lacked one essential. It was not convincing. Hasty generalisations and hap hazard propositions even when enunciated with all the self confidence engendered by the presence of a host of friends fade into utter insignificance under the scrutiny of deliberate calculation and enquiry. The rather reckless expression of opinion to the effect that it is absolutely necessary for the proper government of the Province that it should be considered in its entirety and not in its integral parts, that one portion in fact, however separated from the rest, must from the necessities of the Province bear its full share of the expense of the entire Provincial Government, is an argument in favor of instant separation of the South West Goldfields, if the people there would protect their own interests, rather than an argument to strengthen the Treasurer's defence. Neither does his mere assertion that the Executive has already done full justice to the Coast, carry much weight with it, lacking any corroborative proof. The people on the Coast think otherwise, nay they know from dear bought experience, how scant a meed of justice has been dealt them, and no mere assertions or plausible promises will calm the feeling of discontent now prevading. The Nelson Government may yet retrieve its fallen credit, and i quell all dangerous opposition on the youth West Goldfields, but only by radical improvement within its own body corporate, a thorough rousing up to the difficulties of the situation, a determination to ignore or abandon the miserably self interested tactics of the past, and the adoption of a wise, far seeing, and liberal policy in the future.