NEW ELECTORAL BOUNDARIES

Hokitika Guardian, 9 October 1917, Page 1

NEW ELECTORAL BOUNDARIES

KEENEY DISCUSSED IN THE -

LOBBIES

The burning topic in the lobbies of the House was, of course, the alterations in the electoral boundaries. Groups of members discussed the new boundaries from all the different aspects, and hazarded many and varied y opinions. Strong expressions of dissatisfaction were given vent to by many members. Some members who have had their electorates increased are'not at all pleased with the extension of their vote-canvassing area.

There was talk of Mr R. Scott, member for Otage Central, who is one of tlie members who is losing his seat finding another seat in the Legislative Council, also of another venerable southern representative joining him m that Chamber to leave iiis seat vacant for contest by another member who had lost his seat. Another southern member, Air Austev (Waitaki), can hardlv be satisfied with his new electorate. Mr J. Colvin loses Westport, and probably is not pleased with this. Mr G. W. Forbes (Hurunui) gains a rather large tract ofsparsely populated district. Air MeCallum (Wairau) will have new ' electors in Havelock and the greater portion of the Sounds, and of the country districts east of Nelson. The member for Lvttelton '(Mr McCombs) will find liimseli with a Reform stronghold around Ellesmere when he mounts the hustings next general election.

Some Lobbyists hold that;the new boundaries will be anything but welcome to Reform members. Besides the fact that the Reformers lose two seats to one -Liberal one, the alterations in other boundaries, it is thought, will not bring in more votes for their candidates. The alteration of boundaries in Central Otago has had a marked effect on the liquor trade. The inclusion of a large portion of Central Otagoin Tuapeka, which is a “ dry ” area, will have the result of placing seven or eight hotels in a nolicense district. There are, for example, two at Middlemarch, one at Clark’s, one at The Beaumont, one at Rae's Junction, and two .at Outram. This, appears to be the. position at present, but in view of , the fact that the new electorate of j Tuapeka is a composite area, there | wili probably be a keen demand for revision.