THE REPRESENTATION OF WESTLAND.

West Coast Times, Issue 607, 4 September 1867, Page 4

THE REPRESENTATION OF WESTLAND.

(feom the otago daily times.)

The abortive attempt of the Ministry to give two additional members to Auckland as a condition of granting two members to represent Westland, is worthy of close attention ; because, although the Ministry were defeated, the question is by no means settled. It was resolved last session that a Bill should be brought forward to provide for the representation of the large population now congregated on the West Coast ; and though the Bill introduced by the Ministry for the purpose has failed to pass, on account of the unwarrantable conditions on which the representation was proposed to be conferred, the understanding seems to be that another measure will be introduced before the session closes. If it is a Bill purely and simply to give two members to Westland, it is not likely much opposition will be given to it; but the arguments, both of Mr Stafford and MiHall, breathe such a spirit of hostility to the Goldfields interests, that so straightforward and honest a measure is not to be looked for. It is scarcely credible that men in the position of political Heads of Departments, should not be well up iv tho social histoiy of the country over whose interests they have undertaken to watch. Generally speaking, the utmost care and scrutiny are exercised that the information on which they ■ are called to act is minutely accurate, so that they may be able to give a sound reason for every thing they do, and every doctrine they advocate. That their views may differ materially from those whose opportunities are less of gaining the special knowledge they are enabled to acquire, it is only reasonable to imagine. It is part of the duty they owe to Parliament and the country, to be able to give such full and satisfactory information on all points connected with their departments, as to enable others to see their way to forming correct judgment concerning them. It cannot, therefore, be pleaded, when Mr Hall took upon himself to enlighten the House on the manner in which Westland was peopled, that he did so in ignorance. In fact, when the accuracy of his desciiption was very justly questioned by Mr Reynolds, he claimed for himself that opportunity of gaining special knowledge on the subject which is incident to the office he holds, and in not vpry courteous terms told the House he " must reiterate the assertion, and beg to say that though the honorable gentleman might know a good deal about the province of Otago, he (Mr Hall) must claim to know a good deal more than the honorable member did about Westland."

Had this assumption of knowledge had no special bearing, and been asserted merely for the sake of ministering to the gratification, of a petty vanity, the monstrous character of the misstatement might not have been worthy of remark ; but when the assertion was made to serve a purpose, which, if carried out, would have been distasteful to every Province in the Middle Island, even if in the long run it did not prove detrimental to their interests, Mr Hall's remark cannot be allowed to pass unnoticed. He affirmed what is palpably untrue, that " although a certain proportion of the population (of the West Coast) came from other parts of the world, yet the greater part only came across the borders from the Province of Otago/' Had the truthfulness of the Btatement been doubtful in the mind of Mr Hall, he need only have reflected for a moment to have convinced himself of it 3 absurdity. The population of Otago, at the last census, was under 50,000, and it is estimated that the population of Westlaud is 30,000 to 35,0u0. Were it not well known, therefore, that the greater proportion of that large population had emigrated from Victoria and New South Wales, it "would have been a fair presumption, if Mr Hall's assertion had been true, that that there had been very large immigration into Otago, for manifestly there has been no decrease at all equivalent to the increase of Westland. Official records show that this has not been tho case, were such corroborative evidence needed for the conviction of the inhabitants of the Proviuce. It has been estimated, with great probability, that from 5000 to 6000 miners and others were drawn away from Otago, quite a sufficient number of adults to account for the difference in revenue between the past and previous years, but not by any means sufficient to account for the enormous revenue derived from the population of Westland.

But Mr Hall had a point to gain, and that was to show that Otago should be deprived of two members ; and in lieu of them, two should represent the mining population of the West Coast, so that the present balance of power between the two islands should be preserved. This ideal balance of power seems likely to give as much trouble to New Zealand, as the attempt to balance European power docs to the crowned heads on that Continent. But before such an argument should be allowed to have weight, a definite principle should be laid down, on which to base representation. Notwithstanding the withdrawal from Otago of so many miners, the Province presents claims to representation, superior to any Province in the North or Middle Island, excepting Canterbury. Tiie revenue is greater, the trade returns are greater, the population is equal if not larger, wages are higher, and in every respect it is in a more healthy and progressive state. These characteristics ought to commend the Province to the special regard of the Legislature,' instead of which, they seem to gain for it, special and determined hostility. Mr Hall, a member for Canterbury, could not help venting his petty spleen in a manner unworthy the position of a responsible Minister. Basing his observation upon his previous assertion of Westland having been peopled from Otngo, he could not avoid a sneer at what he chose to term a migratory population, while speaking of the miners.

He seemed to have -before his mind a vision of numbers in digging costume, with their blankets and billies, en route for some new rush, and expressed his opinion that when they " migrated from one part of the colony to another" they should " take their representatives with them. Then the members of the North Island could not say it was unfair to give these two additional members." The idea is significant, for it shows the bias ; but the adverse division, notwithstanding the bribe of two members proffered to Auckland for support, will prevent such an outrage as the attempt to represent Westland at the expense of Otago.