WESTLAND A PROVINCE.

Westport Times, Volume VII, Issue 1098, 15 August 1873, Page 3

WESTLAND A PROVINCE.

At a recent meeting of the Westland County Council, Mr Cassius moved :—" That this Council concurs with the scheme proposed by the hon. the Premier for the formation of the County of Westland into a province, provided that the new Province be placed on a equal fooling with other Provinces, and that there be an extension of the northern boundary of the district." He said he had been led to bring forward the resolution in consequence of certain steps having been taken by the members for the district in the Assembly. It would be remembered that at an interview with the Premier, one and all of those members had agreed to the proposal to change the present experimental form of Government to the one which prevails throughout the colony. In view of the exceptional position of the county he was induced to support the proposition to join the rank of the other Provincial Governments in New Zealand. It was per fectly useless to fight the battle single handed, both here and in Wellington. Although in some respects the Grovernment of the county had been assimilated to the other Governments in the colony, yet being deprived of legislative powers placed it at a disadvantage. In other respects, such as economy in the conduct of its affairs, and its assuming more the form of a Municipal Government, the system had not proved unsatisfactory. While therefore, he was induced to favor the proposed change, it could only be on condition that it was placed on the same footing as the other provinces, and that pressure be brought on the Colonial Government to extend the frontiers of the Westland Province to something like a natural boundary. The idea of extending Westland to the Razorback had been long unsuccessfully advocated, but now would be the time to bring it uuder favorable notice, with a better chance of success. Such an extension of Westland should receive consideration from the Legislature, not alone because it was entitled to a better boundary, but also because the people of the Nelson South West Goldfields were decidedly with us. Mr Cassius then proceeded to point out how little accord there is between the Nelson Government and the people residents on her goldfields ; the sym pathies of the latter inclining them to join Westland, the pursuits in both districts being identical, When the union was at first proposed, the people of those goldfields were not so favorable to amalgamate with Westland as they now were, and altogether circumstances were more favorable how for the extension of the boundary of Westland than at any previous tirhe. He had no doubt that the spirit of the resolution would be echoed by all the members present, and if communicated to the Government it would have some weight, more particularly if some agitation in favor of a union with Westland were initiated in the centres of the Nelson South-West Goldfields. Such a movement could

not be Commenced by the Council, but it would be very desirable to have some joint representations on the subject. Notwithstanding all the disparagement of the County by persons only superficially aquaint°d with its affairs, he maintained that it had shown itself thoroughly capable of conducting its own governnnrtt. and he only advocated a change in order to place it on an equal footing with the Provinces, and for the enlargement of its boundary.