SEPARATION.

West Coast Times, Issue 580, 3 August 1867, Page 2

SEPARATION.

(TO THE EDITOR 0? THE WEST' COAST TIMES.) Sir — The present peculiar position of Westland affairs generally, *• fiords me a fair pretext far lii'&kiiig a few remarks upon tile great question of the day — Separation, The word, I have no doubt, has an ugly sound in the ears o£ many' men' who do not thoroughly comprehend t\e injustice we are daily subjected to, and the perfect helplessness of our positions long as we remain an integral portion of Canterbury ; but desperate cases require desperate remedies, and the. pi'egent .position of Westland, aS a cage in point, is no exception to the rule. It would be utterly impossible to allude even in a manner to all the arguments which may be brought forward in favor of Separation within the space of a single letter, but nevertheless it may not be amiss to consider some of the principal features of the case.

In the first place, the mountain range is a natural barrier, which must of necessity render abortive any attempt to carry on any overland trade between the eastern and the western portions of the province, with the exception of a certain amount of traffic in sheep ,and cattle, and even in that particular the large shipments constantly arriving from the neighboring colonies, render us comparatively independent of the overland supply. "The interests and pursuits of the inhabitants of the two parts of the Province are totally dissimilar; Eastland depending for her prosperity entirely on the raising of stock, the growing of wool, aud the producing and exporting wheat of a doubtful qUalifcys a limited quantity of passable cheese, and some execrable bacon. While Westland, on the other hand, having sprung suddenly into existence, is dependant mainly upon the gold producing qualities of the soil, aud upon the number of ounces to be exported yearly; while the defective legislation we have endured, has resulted in no inducements whatever being offered to the miner or the man of business to become permanently attached to the soil, although that soil has proved itself on trial to compare favorably with that of any portion of New Zealand, both as regards richness, or general suitability for agricultural purposes. Further, the peculiar circumstances which have in the ordinary course of events arisen, have rendered it imperatively necessary to have special legislation for Westland ; witness the Westland Public House Ordinance; the Westlaud Board of Education Ordinance, and others, which have been from time to time passed in the Provincial Council, thus providing for the exceptional circumstances in which we found ourselves placed ; whilst very many of the Ordinances are found to be so unsuitable for the requirements of Westland, that their operation is confined to the eastern part of the province. For these, and many other reasons which might be adduced, it is obvious that Westland cannot continue to be governed from Christchurch, where the importance of our district is not properly understood or our requirements attended to.

• What good effects can tho most san,guine of us expect to result from the almost hopeless struggle of five Westland men against an overwhelming majority of Eastlanders ? Increased representation has been denied to us, partly on the plea that our population is a wandering one ; whilst no pains have been spared to prevent, as far as possible, the permanent settlement of the district. The treatment of the West Coast Estimates, when under discussion in the Council, has already produced considerable ill results in the suspension of track-cutting, and in the stoppage of other works of utility. The comparatively small sum of LIO.OOO which I endeavored to get placed upon the Supplementary Estimates for the construction of roads, was negatived by a large majority, although at the same time the sum of L 23.000 was granted for roads in Eas^-

land, ill addition to former grants for" similar pttrpdses; It is admitted by cv.cry one yrhq Ms the 1 filtUre welfare df Westlaild- at ke&xi; that at least- for some time to come the prosperity of the district .must depend upon the Mining interest, but still we see Land Resolutions passed, which would, if carried into effect, most effectually debar the miner frdrri fdlldwirig His occupation"! arid prdbably cause the flower of our po* pitlatioli to seek in other lands, the privis leges' they were denied in this. Tfie attempt to appropriate L26,0CJ0 per annum df our revenue; for Railway and Harbor Works; cdnnot be ( justified on eitjier legal or moral gioiiiids,- whilst saddling Upon us the sum of L7OOO, as nine months interest on an overdraft, which has not yet been proved to exist ; appears to me conclusive evidence that it is entirely out «f the question to attempt to govern Westland from Christchurch, and to point to what I have long anticipated, viz. : — Separation. Westland .possesses within, itself all the element's necessary for its erection iiito a new Province ; her long line of seaboard extending 2 10 miles, her numerous navigable rivers, her mineral wealth, her rich soil, and the facilities of communication with the neighboring provinces and tho Australian Colonies must convince any one who has really studied the subje t ct # that iv the event of Separation we should Jsv<s nb"miiig to Fear but everything to hope. Our own direct revenue is now very considerably larger than that raised in the Eastern part of the Province, and the Government of Westland as a province might, I feel certain, be carried on, on such principles of economy as would leave a much larger sum for public works than that at present devoted to the purpose The departmental expenses are iv all prcM bability much higher" at the pr"e§eht time than woUld be found necessary if Westi land existed as a province. Public feeling is now thoroughly aroused, recent accoiints froni tlie Grey showing Us that we do riot, stand alone id bur b'pinioß'j and in all probability bi'akcii Leagues will be formed and actively at work within a few days. We have only to work in an earnest, serious, and likewise constitutional manner, and I do not doubt but that bofore long Westland will govern Westland.

Those portions of the New Provinces Act which still remain in operation, ap« pear to be specially adapted to our case» and as far as. I can see after going (&&,-. fully through all the Acts having anjr bearing on the case, there does not appear tc be any necessity for any Bill which creates a new province being sent to England for her Majesty's assent, consequently, there is nothing to prevent the dismemberment of the Province being legalised within a very short period.

Trusting that you "vvili excuse the length of this letter* t ani> yours' &c:s ED2IPND BaRFF; Hokitika, August 2, 1867;