ROBBING THE REPRESENTATION OF CHRISTCHURCH.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1717, 21 August 1879, Page 3

ROBBING THE REPRESENTATION OF CHRISTCHURCH.

The following letter appeared in this morning's issue of the "Press" : TO THE BDITOB OF THB PBESS. Sib, —In your issue of the 141 h instant " A ■Correspondent " calls attention to the unequal manner in which Canterbury is represented in •the General Assembly. Your correspondent shows that Auckland, with a population of -81,733, sends eighteen representatives. Canterbury, with a population of 91,081, or nearly 10,000 more, sends only fourteen representatives. Now, I do not think that the most Ultra-Liberal will say that Ohristohurch iis over-represented with three members. I do not think, let him be ever so rabid, that he is 'lunatic enough to say that Christchurch is over-represented. X do not think that those extreme Radicals, Dr. Turnbull or Sam Andrews, will maintain that Christchurch is over-represented. I believe that one of the planks of the Canterbury Liberal Reform Association's platform is re-distribution of eeats upon a fair population basis. And here permit me to remind the electors that, when Mr Wason was member for Coleridge, he, in in his place in the House, moved a resolution to the effect that a moasure, having for its object the redistribution of seats, Bhould be brought forward ; but Sir George Grey (the liberal) opposed the motion, and no Bill dealing with the question was introduced. And now what does this eminently Liberal Reform Association propose to do ? Tho thing is so astounding that I am surprised that the proposition, emanating from these "liberal reformers" was not crushed and stamped out at once. The bare-faced audacity of these men is beyond an honeßt man's comprehension. What, do they propose to give away, for to be " Liberal" is to givo ? Well, let me take my breath again. -Electors of Christchurch! The Canterbury Liberal Beform Association propose to give to Auckland one more member and rob you of one, so that Auckland will then have 19 and Canterbury but 13. This is Liberal reform with a vengeance. Tou don't believe it. You ask, how ? Thus. You are asked to elect Sir George Grey to represent you in tho General Asßsmbly. To mis-represent you, to vilify you, to traduce you, to betray you. .Either of these terms is more appropriate than the one used by the C.L.R.A. A moro bare-faced, a more atrocious swindle upon your representation I do not remember to have heard or read of. Liberal reform on the tongue, and deeds that will not bear examination in action. They propose to you, they ask you, they pester you, they all but aay you must elect this man. In the name of common sense, in the name of all righteous and honeßt action, in the name, and by the names of all the good and honest men who have represented Christchurch from the first session of the General Assembly to the last of but a week ago, men whose names have rung through New Zealand, men whose names are familiar as household words, men whose actions have caused Christchurch to be the envy of the colony, in that she had such men to represent her, in the names of these men, 1 ask you, electors, what has Christchurch done that this evil should now come upon her ? What has this man done for Christchurch that he should be honored in this way ? You are asked to elect a man that has kept back from the Canterbury counties and Road Boards a large sum of money. The man who took your Land Fund, as Sheehan said, " like a bold highwayman." The man who has traduced and vilified Canterbury at every opportunity. And this is the man you are asked to elect. Just consider for a moment. Suppose you stultify yourselves by electing him. Do you imagine that, after he has left you, that he will trouble his head about you or your affairs ? Not he. When any measure concerning your interests is before the House, this man will either be " thinking of other things," or he will slip out of the House chuckling all the time that he has stolen a vote from Canterbury. His vote will go to Auckland if this atrocious scheme is carried out. You lose a vote, Auckland gains one. You will no doubt hear the usual promises. He will be full of what he would nave done, what he intended to do —only, only, he was thwarted. You will have the same dish of hash, re-warmed, and seasoned with " Munchausen sauce.''

I intreat you, electors of Ohristchurch, do not be gulled any more. Do not be led by the nose by Dr. Turnbull or Sam Andrews. Tear off their sheepskins, and you will find the wolf beneath. Do not be led to the poll at their bidding like a lot of North Island Maoris. Send this man back to his highly favored constituency, the "Thames." Nominate and select some Canterbury man, a man whom you know you can trust. Let your three members be men whose actions and sterling honesty shall be such as shall reflect lustre upon Ohristchurch and its manly electors. Rouse, rouse as true Englishmen only can at such a crisis, and righteously and firmly thrust this disgrace and its traffickers far from you. Do this, and rely upon it ere six months has elapsed, you will be thankful that you took the advice of Ah Oij> Pilgbim.