THE GOVERNMENT.

West Coast Times, Issue 109, 23 January 1866, Page 3

THE GOVERNMENT.

TO THK EDITOR OF THK WEST COAST TIMES.

Sir, — Referring to your leader of the 6th instant, 1 may perhaps be allowed to offer a few suggestions, which I hope will not deteriorate from the practical value of the article, and may probably help to solve the mystery which seems to cloud the mind ot the writer.

" The Government" being the leading functionary in the author's mind, naturally gives rise to many serious suggestions to any dne interested in the welfare of this colony.

" The Government" hero evidently does not mean anything verging upon Imperialism, but some semi-oincially constituted power which does not appear to give entire satisfaction to its subjects. Either tho present Westland " Government" is radically weak, and incapable of carrying out its important functions, or else there must be some mistake in your remarks. It appears to me that,, to speak of any local governing power or authority as " the Govarnment," is an error, the present Government in this colony being in all conscience weak enough, without having to compete with a small minutiic of semi-official imperial dignitaries, which are not only detrimental to tho best interests of the colony, but are instrumental in engendering a spirit of rowdyism highly prejudicial to the interests of the country. Something more than a mere cipher is necessary for tho proper government of even a province or district, and surely in so populous a place as Westlaud, composed, as it really ,is, of tho main stay of the colony — I mean the practical working diggers— the deepest concern should be felt by its ruler (if I may be allowed the term) in all that pertains to its interest, both morally and politically.

. According to your calculations, such does not seem to have been tho case with the present '' Government."

[t is therefore very necessary for us to remedy so calamitous n state of things at our earliest convenience, and here we must feel proud of that freedom of opinion which enables us thus publicly to announce, through the . press, our grievances. I do not for one moment desire to dictate or rule in the matter of remedying the present c miplicated state of Government affairs in Westland, feut simply wish to aid, if ever so little, in bringing matters to a more satisfactory solution, leaving for older and consequently more experienced residents the practical work of reconstructing " the Government" spoken of so kindly by yourself. Begging the favor, if deemed worthy, of inserting this letter, I have, kc,, Goon GOVKKNMLNT. Hokitika, 1 -Ith January, 1866. »