Electoral Boundaries.

Hokitika Guardian, 11 June 1921, Page 1

Electoral Boundaries.

FURTHER ADJUSTMENT NECESSARY. WELLINGTON, June 7. Ay the result of the census returns, there will have to be a further readjustment of electoral boundaries, and the Commissioners will have to yet to work and complete their report before the last session of the present Parliament. The North Islain! Commission comprises the Surveyor-General and the Commissioners of Crown Lands for Taranaki and Auckland, with two official members. One of these is Mr .Tas Trounson, of Auckland. The other position. formerly occupied by the late Mr ,J. AV. A. Merchant, is now vacant. The South Island Commission comprises the Commissioners of Crown Lands for Westland, Canterbury and Otago, and Messrs H. Quano and Harman Reeves. The vacancy in the North Island Commission requires £o be filled by the Governor-General-in-Council when Parliament is not in session.

I All population in a city or borough having; a population of over 2000, or contained in any area within five miles of the chief post offices of Auckland, , Christchurch,' Duneclin, or Wellington, !Is designated urban population. All | other population is “rural,” and in computing the rural population the I Commission is required to add 28 per I cent, to the toal. Thus a district which i hns. say 5000 urban residents and 5000 rural, would be returned for representation purposes as having 5000 urban and 0400 rural, or a. total of 11.400, whereas a district with the same actual population. but all resident in n borough, would be counted as having only 10,*OOO. The total population for representation purposes cannot, therefore, be ' ascertained until ft is known how much j of it is in the boroughs and cities and | how much in the country. When this total is arrived at the two Commissions will meet together to arrive at the quota, which will entitle a district to representation. This is done by dividing the ascertained total population of European members (sev- ’ enty six’). When the quota is known | the Joint Commission will allocate the scats to the North ond South Islands, and then each Commission will sit separately to fix the boundaries of thoso seats. Tn doing this the Commissions are allowed a margin of 1250 of population either below or above the quota, where it is otherwise impossible to constitute a district consistently with giving effect to the principles of community of interest, facilities of communication, and topographical features, and considering the present boundaries. Eormorlv this allowance was 550, but it was increased by Parliament during the 1020 session.

When either of the Commissions proposes to alter an existing electoral district. due notice of the propped boundaries is required to be given in tho “Gazette.” and objections in writing to the proposed boundaries may be lodged for the consideration ,of the Commission before a final determination is come to. The final determination of boundaries is to be proclaimed by the Governor-General in the “Gazette,” and is thereupon to have the force of law. but will not operate until the dissolution or expiration of the existing Parliament.