THE STAFFORD MINISTRY AND THE WEST COAST.

Westport Times, Volume VI, Issue 1008, 27 September 1872, Page 2

THE STAFFORD MINISTRY AND THE WEST COAST.

[' Lyttelton Times.'] Tho charming simplicity which characterises Mr Stafford's "remarks on West Coast affairs will no doubt bo duly appreciated by the inhabitants

of that part of tlio colony. Taken in connection with the fact that the man they distrust more than any other—the Superintendent of Nelson —is a member of the Cabinet, his observations will e.xcito indignation from one end of the district to another. Every valley, every creek, every township and every camping-ground will raise its voice, and the thunder of the chorus will be heard all over the colony. On the verge of revolt for some time, and smarting under wrongs which they believe to have been inflicted mainly by Mr Curtis, the inhabitants of the Nelson South-west Goldfields may be almost excused if they now pass beyond the limits which are usually observed by the people in other parts of New Zealand. They have been, as it were, crying for bread —for the opening up of roads in order that they may reap the harvest lying in the bowels of the earth, and recoup themselves for the outlay they have made in hard cash and the hardships they have uudergoue ; for a fair share of the revenue which they have contributed, and which they couteud has been mainly spent in advancing the interests of Nelson proper —and Mr Stafford offers them a stone. He will institute an inquiry, which will take time, aud meanwhile the district will suffer.

The Government are aware, Mr Stafford innocently observed, that a very considerable discontent existed on the West Coast, at all events on that portion of it comprised within the Nelson South-west Goldfields; but what the special cause of that discontent was he did not himself profess to know, nor did his colleagues possess any superior information to himself, except Mr Curtis, " who did not share the belief that there .were jyifficient causes for the discontent." Taken altogether, these remarks are very suggestive. In the firs 4 ", place, Mr Stafford confesses that, in common with all his colleagues but one, who, by the bye, stands towards the West Coast in the position of a person against whom serious charges have been brought —he knew nothing whatever about the district, its grievances, wants, requirements, and resources. It is impossible to find stronger evidence than tins in favor of Ministers making what Mr Stafford sneered at as royal progresses. Here is a case which the Premier of the Colony confesses his total inability to deal with because he knows nothing about the district to which it refers, and what is the result % Why, that undoubted grievances, of long standing already, and which have inflicted heavy losses on the inhabitants, must be shelved for another year because he and his colleagues are ignorant, because inquiries must be made into the allegations on both sides, and maiuly because Mr Curtis, who professes to know all about the matter, says there are not sufilcieut grounds for the discontent which Mr Stafford does know of and cannot ignore. That is the net result so far as the Nelson South-west Goldfields are concerned, and the whole affair, as we have remarked, is a convincing proof that Ministers must be peripatetic if the colony is to be properly governed. But there is another point in connection with the case which deserves attention. During the recess two members of the late Government visited Westland and made + homse!ves acquainted with the whole of the facts. They were convinced that the Nelson Government had grossly mismanaged that portion of the goldfields within its jurisdiction, and that it was absolutely necessary to brh.g down a measure for altering the boundaries of Westland. The knowledge they acquired, and on which they were prepared to take action during the session, was acquired at the expense of the Colony, and now Mr Stafford proposes to incur a similar, or perhaps larger, expense a second time. How is he to decide between Mr Curtis aud his accusers ? AVill he issue a Royal Commission—he used to be very fond of Commissions, and some of his political friends sucked therefrom no small personal advantage—to enquire into the alleged grievances? Time alone will show, and in the interim—which cannot be very short and may be very long—the unfortunate diggers must " grin and bear it," with the knowledge that the man they consider their arch enemy is in high places.