The Globe. SATURDAY JUNE 29, 1878.

Globe, Volume IX, Issue 1365, 29 June 1878, Page 2

The Globe. SATURDAY JUNE 29, 1878.

The publication of tho census returns has led to a discussion, in the columns of several of our contemporaries, of the question of the readjustment of tho representation. No one denies tho fact that such a stop is urgently needed. An examination of the figures shows that certain districts are considerably overrepresented, while others are in the opposite position. In a former article we pointed out that, on the basis of population, tho oft-repeated cry of the inadequate representation of Auckland and Otago was not justified by the actual facts. The majority of the districts in the former province are over-represented, while in the latter those over —and those under-represented about balance. It is Canterbury which has the principal cause to complain, for according to popiilation she is far from having her proper voice in the management of the affairs of the colony. Our attention has been directed to this subject by some remarks in the New Zealand Herald. Our Auckland contemporary has discovered that, according to the census data, the North Island ought only to return thirty-two members, instead of, as at present, thirtyfour. "But this result," our contemporary says," is obtained by simply leaving the Maori population out of account altogether. Now they must bo reckoned. It may be said that they have a special representation—sending three members from the North Island and one from the South Island—but that representation was instituted for the special purpose of bringing Maoris to the House in order that their special interests might be attended to. Besides the right they have of voting for representatives, who must be of their own race, the Maoris vote in ordinary elections. We may point out that within tho last few weeks 400 Maoris have been put upon the Mangonui and Bay of Islands roll by one party, in addition to those who were already there. In the Napier electorates the natives are in large proportion, and we do not suppose there is a country electorate in this province whore the natives are not a considerable power. Wo think a change might be made for the better in the representation of the natives, but in the meantime, at all events, they must bo reckoned as part of the population. According to the statement of numbers of the natives, in the last census, there were in the North Island 43,538 Maoris, so that we Avould be entitled to eight more members than we have. It may be said that a considerable number of these natives are " Kingites," and will have nothing to do with our political system ; but that is now, we hope, at an end, and as we are to have Rewi in the Upper House, we shall soon have the Kingites on tho different rolls for tho House of Representatives." We have quoted the remarks of our contemporary at length, in order to direct attention to what may prove a very serious danger to the colony. To all appearance an attempt will be made when the question is before the House to include the native population when readjusting the representation. Now at the present time the Maoris have four representatives of their own, and according to the Hon. Mr. Sheehan, a proposal will be made by the Government to increase the number to seven. These, it must bo remembered, are returned by voters whose qualification is of the nature of manhood suffrage. If the Government succeed in increasing the number to seven, these aboriginals will be able to exercise a most undue influence in the house. Although their constituents do not pay direct taxes, they will have a voice in the imposition of those upon their European neighbours. Not only so, those natives possessing the qualification can vote in tho European districts also, and. according to our contemporary, quoted above, largo numbers avail themselves of the privilege. It is manifestly unfair, therefore, that the natives should enjoy the double right, and we hope an effort will be made when the question is before the House, to do away altogether with special Maori representation. In any case, it is clearly out of tho question that they can be counted twice, when the ■readjustment is made. If they are to have their own special members, it would ba doing a great injustice to the rest of the colony to include them again, when fixing the number of representatives to be given to the\ North Island. Yet this is the contention of tho Herald. Tho manifest unfairness of such a proposal must patent to any one who takes the trouble v to consider the matter for a moment. In former articles we have pointed Offit, ibat representation should be based'not pn the population but -on tho number of Registered electors. Especially ought this Vto be tho case under a franchise which gives a vote to every adult male who has resided a certain time in a particular electoral district. We showed such a system would secure to a district its .just representation, whereas the basis might in certain circumstances operate unfairly. A large number oiNchildren and aliens, for example, residing* in one locality, might have the effeci of giving that district an undue infiuejnee in tho House. The same would be two case with tho Maori population, wero it included in the calculation. If the niw Reform Bill contains an educational tiest, as announced by Mr BaUance, the wnmber of Maori claims to vote would notlbe large enough to unduly influence the Noting power of the North Island. However, whatever system io adopted, it is quirk evident that the native population cai not be counted twice over when fixing the\ number of members of the House.