READJUSTMENT OF REPRESENTATION.

Manawatu Herald, Volume II, Issue 93, 16 July 1880, Page 2

READJUSTMENT OF REPRESENTATION.

As our readers are aware, a Bill is before Parliament, providing for a readjustment of the representation. Rumours having gained currency that Manawatu would becut up, and , a section of our electoral district handed' over to each of the adjoining constituencies, we telegraphed to Mr W. Johnston, M.H.R., asking hi.n to inform us how Manawatu would be affected by the new Bill. The tollowing is his reply, for which we desire to express our thanks : — It is understood that in pursuance of the scheme to equalise electoral districts in respect of population, it is proposed to extend Wellington Country Di«t,riot *o Ohau River- 1 believe the Bill will present so many exceptions to tho rule, notably with regard to Taranaki, that it will not pass, except with large alterations. The above information is anything but satisfactory. It will be seen it is proposed to include Paikakariki, Waikanae, and Otaki all in the Wellington Country. Bistrict. The proposal is absurd, on the very face of it. What community of interest is there between Otaki and Kaiwarra, which are some 50 miles apart ? None what* ever. Otaki is a part of the County of Manawatu, and the whole of its interests lie in the direction of Manawatu, whereas a connection with the Wellington Country District would: be unnaturaljimpolitic, and (to Otiki) absolutely useless. Whether any other changes are proposed we are not aware, but we sincerely trust the County as a whole will unite to resist any attempt to divide the electrol district (unless it be to give both parts a member), and to force on the Government and Parliament the strong claims of Manawatn to a second member, because of its large population, the extensive character of its industries, the rapidity with which it is being settled , and the enormous strides it has made in the march of progress during the last five years.