The Fielding Star. THURSDAY, AUGUST 12, 1886. The Representation Bill

Feilding Star, Volume VIII, Issue 26, 12 August 1886, Page 2

The Fielding Star. THURSDAY, AUGUST 12, 1886. The Representation Bill

When the Bill for the redistribution of seats was introduced to the House by the Premier, its provisions were accepted as satisfactory by both parties in the House. Later on, when it dawned upon the Southern members that the Bill would give increased representation to the North Island, considerable opposition was offered by many of the uninnuential Southern members, who decerned that with a dimiuunition of the number of seats the chances ef their return to the House lessened in like proportion. They appeared to have ignored the pledge made in a former Parliament that as the system of representation on a population basis gave the South a preponderance then, when the time came (1886) for a readjustment the North should be given the same advantages should the population have increased. A plea argued by oae member that representation should be in proportion to taxation or revenue, showed that any excuse was sufficient to justify an adverse vote — so long as it gave the Southern members a majority in the House. The boldness of this plea is only exceeded by its inconsistency with the constitution of the House. Members are elected by manhood suffrage, not by property qualifications. It will be seen by our telegrams that the Bill has passed its third reading after some unimportant amendments had been made. We think the Southern members have made a blunder in exhibiting a feeling of jealousy to the North. When they are assembled in Parliament they are supposed to represent the Colony as a whole, not the mere electorates which sent them there.