CHANGE OF GOVERNMENT.

West Coast Times, Issue 2462, 21 August 1873, Page 2

CHANGE OF GOVERNMENT.

(To the Editor.}

Sic, — As it is all but certain that the County of Westland will shortly be elevated to the rank of a Province let un review its past history, and compare it with the promised future, It may be as well for us to accept the fact at once that the change will not be an unmixed goods since it will cause an increase of expenditure without a proportionate increase of re venue.

Taking a retrospective view of the past , it must be conceded that the County systemhas not had a fair trial neither has the result justified the expectations of the framers of the Act — or those who so ardently wrought in the cause of Separation. But why ? The first blow struck at Westland 's prosperity was the unjust proportion of debt due by the Province, of Canterbury that was saddled upon the news born County — The basis of settlement waf an arbitrary one viz., the amount os Customs revenue at a time of Westland n greatest prosperity, and whilst the Easter - portion of the Province was in a very depressed condition ; caused by a large ex penditure upon public works, many of which are now reproductive — whilst the whole of the Customs revenue on which the award was based has been deliberately seized by the General Govern- ent in order to assist in carrying out the gigantic scheme inititead by Mr Julius Yogel , but let us hope that the time is' not far distant when a more just assessment will be made, so as to giv>} the maiden Province a fair start in the race of commercial enterprize.

Now for the future — As the number of members for the New Council will be increased an increase of honorarium will also be necessitated ; without at present any visible sijjns of increase of revenue unless a County rate be imposed to coyer the Provincial expenditure. As Hokitika and the Grey will most probably have an additional member for each town, and the electoral Districts subdivided in order to make up the number necessary to carry out Legislative powers, it cannot be too strongly impressed upon the electors that on the choice of men to fill the important position they will in future occupy very much depends — The past has been an acknowledged failure what the future will be, time only will realise : but if the welfare of the new fledged Province is confided to honest and talented men, good will be the result' but if men are elected who thrust themselves into positions of trust for the sake of the emolument derived therefrom they will not only invoke the censure of their constituents whom they had deceived by false pretensions but degrade the position it should be their ambition to elevate and adorn.

lam Sir, yours, &c, JOHN CROSS. Hokitika August 19th 1873.