WELLINGTON TOPICS

Hokitika Guardian, 20 August 1926, Page 4

WELLINGTON TOPICS

THE HIM FT NORTH. MISTER RING PARLIAMENTARY REPRESENTATION. (Special to “ Guardian.”) WKLLINGTON, August 17. The deputation of South Island members of the House that waited upon the Prime .Minister the other day to urge that tiie representation of their part of the Dominion in Parliament .should he “ stabilised ” in order to prevent the further growth ot umvieldIv constituencies did not receive a great deal of encouragement from the head of the Government. Mr Contes promised to discuss the matter with his eolleageus—this season or next—hut meanwhile In? deprecated the idea of having permanently fixed boundaries and ignoring the growth of population

for any considerable time. The deputati on. which included representatives of the three political parties, made alternative suggestions; but they all involved an increase in the number ol members of the House so that the

South '.lsland might retain its present quota, when the North Island was increased. This was the expedient adopted by Mr Seddon in 1902, when there was a loud outcry throughout, the country against the Liberal leader “ straining the Constitution to propitiate the South Island”; but obviously the process cannot he repeated indefinitely. New Zealand’s governing machine already is the most costly, per head of population, in the British Empire, and every extra member added to the Legislature increases- by a few hundred pounds the burden of the thug-suffer-ing taxpayers without making any aderpiate return in service. MORE .MEMBERS. The local papers with the exception of the ‘‘New Zealand Times.” which touches on the fringe of the problem, have nothing to s'av in regard to the deputation’s request, being satisfied, no doubt, with the good things the growth of population may send the North Island so long as the South receives no more than its appropriate share. The ‘‘Times’’ sees but one way. to settle the matter. “ Away,” it says, cheerily optimistic as ever, ‘‘with local jealousies, which have done inischiel enough, and substitute a broad patriotic spirit in the government of the Dominion's affairs. New Zealand has. so far. though with difficulty, risen superior to these local jealousies. It is surely true that these are mischievous and uncalled for, and unworthy of a people entering on wide world obligations. Patriotism, with single eye understanding, past and present, penetrating clearly the future with a hacking of a.ll-round justice and fair-mind-ed generosity, should be strong enough to settle this knotty question of representation once and for all. There is no reason why this should not he done at. i,nee. All that is necessary is clear thought without too much talk.” The more practical advocates of electoral

reform declare tliat proportional repre Simla t”ion would put nil end to all tin local jealousies the “Times” deplores and, at the same linte. make the tin kering with single electorates wlioll; unnecessary and inexcusable. BrBLE-TN-SOHOOLS. The Hon. L-. M. tsitt’s Religion: Exercises .in Schools Rill line! a narrow escape from summary execution in tin Legislative Council on Friday night T’narcastonied to late sittings two o the supporters of the Rill had retiree for the night immediately after th< supper adjournment, and it was onli hy the courtesy of one of its opponent. l that the measure was saved from extinction on a motion for adjournment. The third reading of the Rill in al probability will be granted to-night ii Mr Tsitt can keen his stalwarts up tc the mark: but this is as far as the measure can be expected to progress this year. The House will have toe much on its hands during the remainder of the session to spare a week tc the old Bible in Schools controversy under its new guise. Tn any ease Mr Isitt’s fledgling would not be likely tn meet with much favour in the representative Chamber. The fervid speech delivered by the Hon. W. Eikihnnn. in opposition to tlie measure was even more appealing than Sir Robert Stout’s eloquent exposition of the sanctity of the Dominion’s free, secular and compulsory system, of education. Tlie Native Councillor regretted . that the author of the Rill had not consulted the Maori members of the House, ire would have been told, this very sane representative of his race declared, that the measure lie was fathering would create sorrow and dissension among the Maori people. [The bill was lost on the third reading on Wednesday night.] A QUESTION OE HISTORY. In his stirring denunciation of Bible teaching in the nrimnry schools Sir Robert Stout called to his assistance the names' of Dr Eentliorston. Sir William Fox mid Dr Eitzherbcrt. three of the most notable figures in the early history of New Zealand, whom, lie implied. had stood firmly by the secular system. This morning Mr Robert Wood.. writing from Kafori. challenges in the “ Dominion ” Sir Robert’s recollection of the attitude of these three gentlemen towards the question still constituting a hone of contention in this country. “ Dr Eeatherston. one of the best agcnts-gcncral we ever had.” he says, “ died in England in 187fi. He took no part in the banning. Tf Sir William Fox, banned the Bible in 187". lie speedily recanted, for a few years later I knew him 11s an entluisistic advocate of Bible in schools. T have no data at hand to speak of Fitz- | iierbert, but I know that the Hon S. Menzies. son-in-law of Dr Eitzherbcrt, was a most able and most cultured Bible-in-Schools man. Forty years ago ■ Dr Menzies left his home .in Wvndhani to attend the Legislative Council against tlie wishes of his medical adviser. In. the Council he led a Bible-in-Schools fight that failed only by one vote.” Sir Robert has a' marvellous memory for events of five or six decades ago and his reply to Mr Wood is sure to be interesting. I < 1 i 1 r i c 1 t I' c o .1