THE REPRESENTATION QUESTION.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 3776, 17 October 1907, Page 4

THE REPRESENTATION QUESTION.

NORTH AND SOUTH ISLANDS. DEPUTATION TO THE PREMIER. Yesterday morning (says Tuesday's Dominion.) the Premier was interviewed by a la rye mini her ol representatives on the representation question. Tire deputation was a private one, and not open to the press. It was pointed out to the Prennei that the recent distribution of seats gave the North Island 41 members, and the South Island 35 members. The nominal population of the Dominion in u)ob was slated at 1,018,381, the population of the North'lsland (with provision for 41 European members) being 34.4,019, and of the South Island (with provision tor 35 European members) 474,362. Each island at present has 38 members. It is now suggested by some of the South Island members that the population of the South Island he taken as the basis for the quota, and that the North Island receive representation on that basis, which would give the South Island 38 members, and the North Island 43.66 members, equal to a total European representation (in round numbers) of 82, with a population of 12.500 each. The unworkable nature of some constituencies owing to their size was referred to, and also the fact that there would be further changes of boundaries in 1908 and 191 x, destroying, in some instances, community of interest. It was stated that under the new boundaries some candidates would have to address over a hundred meetings, The physical strain and financial obligations involved would be, it was urged, unduly great. The deputation endeavoured to make it clear to the Premier that there would be no attempt to do an injustice to the North Island. It was contended also that during the past fifteen years the work of members had increased quite fivefold. The following comparative table, to show the population per member for 1876, tBSi, and 1907, was submitted : Population per Population. Member., member. 1876 388,000 90 4311 1881 490,000 95 5158 1907 1,000,000 ... 80 12,500 The proposal made by the deputation was that legislation should be introduced, fixing the number of members to be elected for the South Island next year at 38 European members with proportional representation to the North Island, which would bring its representation up to 44 ; also to provide.tbat the representation of the South Island should in future lie not less than 38 members, with proportionate representation in the North Island until the total representation for the Dominion reaches 95, and that when this point was reached the whole question of representation should he reviewed by Parliament.

Sir Joseph Ward said that the pooblem of representation was a difficult one, and the proposals of the deputation would requite careful consideration. One important detail would be ihe readjustment of boundaries in both islands. He recognised that those who had referred to the obliteration of certain electorates had presented their case in such a way as to call for consideration if that were possible. He did not like to think that members should be thrust out of political life in a haphazard way. It would be for the Government to see if anything could be done to meet the wishes of members and of their constituents, but only if an equitable basis could be determined. He could not, of course, make any promise, but he assured the deputation of his desire to approach this matter of representation in a manner that would be fair and just to the country as a whole. The Government, he added, would have to use the utmost caution in coming to a decision, but the matter would be placed before the Cabinet with a view to its careful consideration.