THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

Globe, Volume IX, Issue 1269, 12 April 1878, Page 3

THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

The “ Auckland Herald ” has the following remarks on the composition of the Legislative Council: — A casual glance at the list of the members of the Legislative Council of the colony discloses the fact that those members whose residence is in the Auckland district are, as compared with other districts, in a minority which ought not to continue. At present there are forty European members in the Council, and this is how the members stand as respects the various provincial districts : Ologo ... ... ... 9 members Canterbury ... ... 7 „ Wellington 6 „ Auckland 5 „ Nelson ... ... ... 5 ~ Hawke’s Bay 4 „ Westland ... ... 2 „ Taranaki ... ... 1 ~ Marlborough ... ... 1 „ Total 40 „ There is a disproportion in these figures which, as regards Auckland, should be remedied. Not .That we seek to lay it down as a maxim that due proportion of members is to he observed with arithmetical accuracy to each particular district, for to say so would bo to lay down a rule that looked merely to proportional equality of numbers, without regard to fitness, or the necessities of tfye Couqeil, or the pressing pojicy of the Ministry of the day. Still, there can be no doubt that a nearer approach to the districts being “represented” in the Council (if the word is tolerable as touching nominees) should be effected than those figures show at present to exist. That little Nelson should send as many lords to the Upper Chamber as Auckland, while Hawke’s Bay, too, sends four to Auckland’s five—one of whom, Mr Randall Johnston, perhaps, strictly [speaking, belongs more to Hawke’s Bay than to Auckland —is what ought not to be. For some years Ministers have been very chary in appointing new members to tho Qouncil, and lienee, seats vacated by resignations or death have not been filled up. There is no lack of men in Auckland fitted to fill the position, and at least two or three of these should be called to the Council, in order, as John Gilpin said, “to make \he balance fair.”