The Tuapeka Times.

Taranaki Herald, Volume III, Issue 124, 13 December 1854, Page 2

The Tuapeka Times.

" Open to All— lnfluenced by None." I

NEW PLYMOUTH, DECEMBER 13, 1854.

The Committee on the Public JWorks Bill concluded their labours at the last sitting of the Council, and it may be fairly stated that the measure lias received the patient consideration which its importance demanded. Notwithstanding, however, the painstaking attention that has tnaiked the discussion of the prominent points of the bill, the committee have not arrived at the unanimity to be desired on some of ita more important provisions. The sth clause which gives to every owner or occupier of 10 acres the right to take a part in the proceedings at General Meetings, for voting a rate, and and for other purposes, in the rural districts appears to be the matter principally in difference, although, upon several other clauses there has been a contrariety of opinion. Notice of the third reading of the bill was given for to-morrow at the last sitting of the Council ; and from the complexion of , the previous discussion it is not improbable that its re-committal may be moved. . In a measure involving so much purely ( local management, and depending so much upon its popular character for useful ope- , ration, prudence would perhaps suggest any i compromise that might insure perfect agreement, short of destroying its usefulness, or asserting a mischievous principle in the government of such matters; and we earnestly hope that such a conclusion may be arrived at. Two propositions have bet-n made for ■ altering this clause in the bill : one is to ; increase the qualification, and 40 or 50 acres have been mentioned as the minimum. The other is to give a plurality of votes, regard being had to the number of acres rated ; and in relation to this proposition opinions vary widely as to the extent to i which it might be proper to give the accumulative principle operation : some limiting it to two votes, others to four ; and some few considering that it might be wisely extending to six. It is now an admitted principle that, men who ate taxed sliou d have the right to vote either in their own proper persons, or through their elected representatives. This principle is it must be admitted to a certain extent violated by the bill as it stands, and the very few who are in the predicament of holding under ten acres in the rural districts are deprived of a rij?ht. The principle is sacrificed, and sacrificed without object, for numerically their votes would avail nothing against those of the* larger holders. The holders of under ten acres will have to pay their money without having a voice in either the rating or its disbursement ; and the proscription may be extended to 30 acres without affecting the relative positions of the inhabitants of any district, further than occasioning an increase of discontent and opposition, the invariable concomitants of injustice. Extend it to 50 acres, and a measure intended to subserve the convenience and requirements of the Province, will depend for its operation, upon the agreement of the few large owners in the several localities. This would also be the effect of a plurality of votes. When last session a bill with the same objects, but somewhat differently constructed was before the Council, the same objection, viz,, " that property was not duly represented was made j and as a last resource it was suggested that the votes of the I the larger holders should to a ceitain extent be made accumulative, and the subjugation of principle to expediency would then have been consented to, but a readier and more certain way of protecting those interests then presented, and the bill was thrown out. The opposition appears to go to denying to a certain extent the right of voting ; or qualifying the efficacy of the vote ; that property is to be a qualification, but a qualifi1 cation only in degree ; that there is no in1 terest to be taken care of but that of the large holder ; and embodies more than we desire to know of class legislation. In the discussions in the Council touchi ing the payment of Members it was aas aerted that payment was required that the abilities of those men whose acquirements • fitted them for the task but who could not afford their time, might be available for the seivice of the settlement ; and this was supported by a strong argument, namely ' that the denial of salary was in fact a properly qualification.

" Look upon this picture, and on this." h It is asserted at the same meeting of the h council, that the man who does not hold t ten acres is not eligible to the care of his h interests in his own district. -The measure i is in the hands of the Council, and we h rely with confidence that it will nut on J light grounds rescind its resolution ; and r those who desire an alteration will do well „ to look to results. Like the books of the t Sybil it is brought again for acceptance, l not it is true diminished in value j nor in- ' volving any much greater sacrifice than on the last occasion, but, if it should be again i brought back, it is not impossible that it i may on its next visit assume a less lavor- ' able shape. (