The Westport Times. SATURDAY, MARCH 6, 1869.

Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 474, 6 March 1869, Page 2

The Westport Times. SATURDAY, MARCH 6, 1869.

The resolution of the Progress Committee to refer to a public meeting the subject of County Separation was undoubtedly the wisest course which they could have adopted. It is a course which will have the double merit of relieviug the Chairman from that burden of sensitiveness by which he was embarrassed in venturing to champion the cause single-handed, and of at once deciding the question whether Separation is an object sought only by a section of the community, or by the population as a whole. That the Progress Committee did well and wisely in initiating the discussion, if discussion it may yet bo called, no one will gainsay. In investigating the number and nature of the improvements necessary in the district, it was impossible to avoid considering how far the execution of these improvements is affected by the existiug form of government, and more especially by the manner in which that government is administered. And having found that, either in the fixed form, or in the temporary manner, of governing the district, there are serious impediments to its development and progress, they were right in asserling that a remedy is requisite, and were fairly acting

within the scope of their duties when, as that remedy, they sug gested County Separation. How fai they or the Chairman did wisely it allowing their courage so rapidly tc ooze out at their finger-points, as i apparently did when adverso answer: were received, or uncomplimentary insinuations made, is a matter upoi which, perhaps, enough has already heen said. At any rate an explanation of the circumstances which had un fairly led to this impression has beer given by the Chairman, and, if no eminently so, it must at least be con sidered sufficiently satisfactory. Tt do more than to initiate the discussion or to bring the matter under public attention, was, in fact, to some extent beyond the province of the Committee, and the step they have taken, in calling together a public meeting, is, as we have said, undoubtedly the right one. [f they have done so late, and have thereby allowed misconceptions tc arise as to their own interest in the subject, it is better than that it should lever be done at all. It relieves them from all chances of insinuation ihat the movement is a mere party or personal one, and, what may be equally gratifying to the members, it may in ;he end relieve them from the necessity )f at all including the subject in their lebates. One of the legitimate remits of the intended meeting would 3e the appointment of a committee vhose functions should be altogether leparate from those of the Progress Committee, and whose attention should )e given exclusively to the subjects of separation and the County System, provided always that by the public neeting these two principles are iffirmed.

The meeting, we observe, is appointed to be beld on Tuesday next. The notice is, perhaps, somewhat short, to permit of the perfect organisation which is in all cases to be preferred when a public meeting is called, but it has at least this merit, that it will necessitate the appearance of those who are advocates of Separation in no better state of preparedness than those who may be opposed to it, or who may wish matters to remain in statu quo. That some with opinions antagonistic to Separation may present themselves at the meeting is by no means impossible. A variety of feelings, from praiseworthy conservatism to the most obstinate and ignorant prejudice, may lead people to prefer Provincialism, even as it is exhibited in Nelson. It is pity, indeed, there are at all reasons for desiring alterations in the constitution of the country, and we may well respect the opinions of those who hold with the system of government which is at present provided, but which is unfortunately so much misused. The County System, if it means anything, means the ultimate centralization of all revenue, and of administration of all revenue, at and from Wellington; and if there is, beyond that, any ultimatum as the direct result of the present cry for counties, it is the separation of the two Islands, and the establishment of a central government in each. Should any one, believing this, yet believing that the maintenance of Provincialism is preferable to the immediate and future advantages which must attend that double change —should anyone so minded desire at the meeting to express his opinions, we do not doubt that, in the spirit in which the meeting is called, he will be allowed a fair hearing and equal favor with those who may be on the other side. However galling may be the secret, silent, and surreptitious system which characterises the action of the Nelson G-overnment in this part of the Province, on any occasion on which they are actually excited into action, the feeling should not interfere with the dispassionate discussion of a subject upon which a unanimous opinion has not as yet been expressed.