CITIES GIVEN A 10 PER CENT. QUOTA

Chronicle (Levin), 5 April 1946, Page 8

CITIES GIVEN A 10 PER CENT. QUOTA

— Press Association

mr. doidge 's comment on new boundaries

By Telegraph-

WELLINGTON, April 4. "It is clear that the country qiiOta has gone," said Mr. F. W. Doidge, Nationai inember for Tauranga, whdse opinion on the new eleetoral boundaries

was asked'-here today. "A eity . quota jas been established in its place, 55 he added. . • . ' ' The realignment of the boundaries ;>n the adult population basis has given ,he citihs the equivalent of a 10 pel•ent. quota, 55 contimied Mr. Doidge. t The Natioyal Party sustains losses ih Jie disappearance of seats like Stratford, Rotorua, Masterton, Temuka, aiid Mataura, "On tha-faee of it our task at the coming general eleetion would seertt to oe more difficult. To oust the Govei'ns:nent we shall need to win all the rural seats and a number of the eity seats as well. The Government stakes its exist-" ence on its grip on the cities; and eXpects to strengthen its position by the inheritance of the new eity eleetorates, but I believe the swing towards the Nationai Party is as strong in the cities as in the rural areas. The Dunedin North by-eleetion proyed.tha.t when we smaslied d.own • mere '700", 'amp'le e-videhch that the tide had tui'ned bfifore that. "At the last general eleetion we woii two eity seats — 'Wellington Whst. and Waitemata — and were Withiii an aee ot success in others like Edfen and Oamaru, " said Mr. Doidge. "Mhreover, there is this to remember, tnat evem* eleetion is determined by the great border-line vote of those who have 110 strict political affiliations. In the heart of every New Zealander is an inherent love of fair play. Every eleetor knows that the eleetoral disinheritancds flis'closed in today 5s report of the Boundary Commissioners is the result of the legislation whieh went on to the Statute Book without a mandate from -the people. Those electors know an at^empt has been made by the Government. to deliberately load the diee. Electors in' the cities as Well aS in the "ounttv areas will, I believe, demoii strate their disgust at the ballot boX."