LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

Hokitika Guardian, 19 October 1932, Page 3

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

NORTH ISLAND DEMAND. MORE REPRESENTATION WANTED. WELLINGTON; October 17. It was expected in many quarters that as a result of to-day’s Cabinet meeting further appointments ’ would be made to the Legislative Council, but Mr Forbes to-night denied that anything had been done in the matter. Sir Heaton Rhodes and-the Hons. G- Whitty and L, M. ‘ Isitt complete their term of office at the end of this month,, reducing the strength of the Council, to twenty-two. It is known .that there l are several 1 aspiraifts to seats in the Council, and that representations have; been made oh behalf of several interested parties, but the Government is not keen on makfresh appointments, especially in view of the need for economy.

At the present time the Council is constituted of seventeen South Island members and eight from the North Island, and the attitude taken up in several quarters is that further representation should be given to the North Island, especially in view of the fact that nearly two-thirds of the . population of the country live in the North. Even with the retirement,of three -Canterbury members the South Island still will have nearly double the i. 1 presentation of the .North Island, and those who have interested themselves ih the matter have.put forward three North Island names andl one from the South Island .as suitable person; to occupy; seats' in the Council. ■lndications . are that the Government will take no action until the end of this month at the earliest.