Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star FRIDAY, OCTOBER 12th, 1917. THE COAST CONSTITUENCIES.

Hokitika Guardian, 12 October 1917, Page 2

Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star FRIDAY, OCTOBER 12th, 1917. THE COAST CONSTITUENCIES.

Tiie change proposed in tho boundaries of the electorates is causing, quite naturally, a very great deal of public interest. Many and various interests are at stake, and as has been indicated important financial interests are involved also. 'The President of the Westport Chamber of Commerce has uttered a. general protest to any change which carries a good deal of conviction with it. and is justified by the plain statement of fact which supported it. Mr. Bowater rather hit the nail on the head when he said that the same reason which prompted the extension of tho life of Parliament, should also justify the postpomuent of any change in political boundaries. Tho gentleman overlooks tho fact that the members are anxious to save their seats, when a year before there was any occasion for tho action, they extended the life of Parliament-. This was so important to the members personally, that they quite overlooked what affected the people directly, and so general interests were neglected. .Another good point made is in respect to tho large public expenditure in tho North Island attracting lalmur and population to that- quarter from the South Island, where public expenditure is to a, groat- extent v«vtoed. A great deal of t-ho population which has moved north represents families. so that the reduction has been striking and material, and it will be long after the war before the wrong proposed to bo done can be righted, ibeenuse, in the ordinary course, it will be [ some years before the next census van

tako effect upon tho electoral lxmndar-i ics: As a means to economy and tho maintenance of settled conditions in war times, the Government- might well have deferred both the late census and the adjustment of electoral boundaries, but in extravagance of an un- , necessary character, unfortunately the Government arc rather prone to act without that duo regard for economy which while preaching it they do not act up to'. However, having taken the legal steps ; apparently the law, exponstvo«,.and even unjust as it may he, must bo allowed to tako its course. The Buffer people might he in time with their protest as regards the naming of their newly adopted electorate. The nomenclature of tho three northern seats has not been lmppilw hit- off. There is a great deal in the claim from Westport to. retain the name of Buffer for their constituency, just as Motueka would appear to fit the area better than the proposed name of Buffer for a district which is larger in area, ...otueka than anything else. In these circumstances the name cl Grey would disappear, and seeing that Grcymouth is about- to pass into AA estla-nd that would not he a special injustice. A section of the northern press is perturbed because Westland has “captured” Grcymouth. A\ e should have thought that tho political change would have been welcomed. It is something of a- compliment to bo associated with \» ostiand which lias figured always with credit and renown in regard to its representatives sent to Parliament. We can hasten to assure the good people of the northern Borough that tho public here will not resent their association with the electorate. We hope their presence will make the constituency more influential still, and chastened by events of the past, we arc hoping certainly that there will he a keen desire to maintain the good name of the -.strict in that high position with regard to political aspirations and loyalty to the Dominion and the Empire which has been distinctive of Westland’s representative.