PROFESSOR FAWCETT ON THE DISTRIBUTION OF REPRESENTATION.

Globe, Volume IX, Issue 1252, 23 March 1878, Page 3

PROFESSOR FAWCETT ON THE DISTRIBUTION OF REPRESENTATION.

The following observations on the tribution of representation, taken from a recent adflfeSS to his constituents by Professor fi. JMMii hav'e; an interest for New Zealand at the present time i- 2 . . "It seemed to be generally concluded—giid he thought rightly so—that any measure for the esstension of the suffrage must be accompanied with proposals for redistribution. In some Quarters it tfM apparently concluded that theie was" One way, and oiilf One way, of securing equality of representation, afld that was by carving out the whole countfy into equal electoral districts. He ft)'tteated,hU hearers not to give their adherence hastily to such a doctrine. A proposal to establish equal electoral districts would be sure to be rested by many who, although they would strongly favor a thorough reform of our representative system, would object to such a sweeping away of, old Political landmarks as would be involved in obliterating half the existing borough constituencies. The most glaring defects now existing in the distribution of political power might be removed without any such scheme of wholesale disfranchisement. Some of the smallest of the existing boroughs might be grouped together. In this way members might be obtained for the important boroughs which were not now represented, and for the large towns and populous counties whifh were inadequately represented. Independently of all the practical difficulties to which he had already alluded as standing in the way of equal electoral districts, he certainly thought that the proposal was to be objected to on other grounds. Elections would, he was sure, be less decided on politi cal issues of national importance and more on mere questions of local interest, if a candidate, instead of appealing to the electors of a great municipality such as Manchester or Liverpool, had simply to address himself to the electors of Ward 14.