GETTING THE LION'S SHARE

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 9, 5 October 1917, Page 4

GETTING THE LION'S SHARE

WHAT MEMBERS SAY OF WELLINGTON.

In the' opinion of some members of Parliament,- Wellington has too big a sliaro in the government of this couutry. Mr. J. A. Anstov mentioned the matter in tho House of Representatives yesterday. He asked the Prime Minister, in view of the redistribution of seats storllv ft ho made, whether ho would reduce t~e present great over-representation of Wellington interests. In view of the Tacilities that Wellington interests had for presenting their cases lo Parliament, he thought tho Prime Minister should arrange to transfer some of the Wellington seats to other districts not so well represented. In Wellington there were at least half a dozen resident members, aud ten Ministers continually, in residence, and all the other members ot Parliament resided hero for from three to five months of the year. If there were no direct Wellington members at aIV fii tho House, Wellington stih be largely over-represented. They had had experience this session of Wellington peonle having made use of their opportunities for representing their crses by deputationisiug, or even terrorising Tiimsters. . ' Mr. Massey: fl'here is something in wliat' the honourable member suggests. I have. had experience of it—just a Mr'. Witty: Some of them frightened you! Mr. Massey: No. . Mr. Witty: I don't say last night. n Mr. Massey: "No, nor any other night. He said, bv way of answer to Mr. An-, stey, that the matter to which tho honourable member had referred would have consideration when legislation dealing with electoral matters next came before Parliament.