South Canterbury Times, FRIDAY, AUGUST 5, 1881.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2613, 5 August 1881, Page 2

South Canterbury Times, FRIDAY, AUGUST 5, 1881.

SECOND EDITION

The Bill for the adjustment of Representation is undoubtedly the most important measure brought before Parliament during the present session. It was feared that the no-confidence motion would have had the effect of shelving the matter for an indefinite time. The session is now tolerably far advanced, and it was generally believed that the Government would abandon the main proposal contained in the Governor’s speech at the opening of Parliament. It is seldom we have occasion to support Ministers, but a great deal of credit is due to them for disappointing their opponents, and manfully grappling with a subject which has always been considered the most difficult which could engage the attention of members. On Mr Hall asking leave to introduce the Bill on Tuesday last, an attempt was made to delay its consideration. We all know what delay would mean at this period of the session. However, the obstructionists were defeated by 10 to 22 votes. The division does not appear to have been a party one, several prominent members of the Opposition having supported the Government. The representative of Timaru was one of them. We noticed the name of Sir George Grey figuring amongst those who endeavored to stop the progress of the measure. Most people still retain a very distinct recollection that the menAer for the Thames but a short time ago was eloquent in his advocacy that every man in the country should have an equal voice in the government of the country. That is certainly not the case under the present system of Representation. The Taranaki provin-

cial district, ivith 14,795 of a population, returns three members to Parliament, while the district of South Canterbury, with a population of 21,803, returns an equal number. The Representation Bill is to obviate inequalities such as those mentioned. Nelson and Marlborough also enjoy mote than a fair share of representation, and it is the same with the West Coast of the Middle Island. There is not a single argument why the present state of things should be continued. Even those who maintain that a population basis is not the only thing to be considered have not a leg to stand upon Canterbury and Otago will be tlic principal gainers by the adjustment of Representation, and those two provincial districts contribute the bulk of the wealth of the colony. What makes the question of redistribution so difficult to deal with is that an alteration of boundaries may affect members’ chances of re-election, and with the bulk of the House that is the paramount consideration. Few members are patriotic enough to regard their own personal interests as of less importance than those of the country. Under any equitable system of representation, Nclsop and Marlborough would not have the present number of members in the Assembly. With a population less by IUOO than South Canterbury, Nelson enjoys the privilege of sending eight members to our three. It is no wonder that the people of “ Sleepy Hollow ” arc clamorous for a continuation of the present one-sided arrangement. Marlborough with its 10,(510 of a population, has the honor of returning three gontlcmen to the House of Representatives, The Cook Strait settlements have certainly no reason to complain that they arc under-represented. Of course, all sorts of frivolous objections will be urged against any redistribuschcmc which may be brought forward. Whether the Ministerial measure will become law or not depends upon the strength and courage of the Government. As the matter at,present stands, the richest and most prosperous parts of the colony are under-represented. It is the duty of every member from the Canterbury provincial district to' use every effort to have the measure placed on the statute hook before, the next general election. At present, Canterbury returns fourteen members to the House. According to the latest census the population of the provincial district was 111,021. If representation was on a population basis, this district would return twenty members to the Legislature. “ Property ! property ! propertj ! ” is the cry of the Tories. It must bo represented above all other interests. Well, let ns take that as the basis. According to the property tax returns, the total value of all the property in the colony is sot down at £73,958,182. Canterbury’s share of this is set down at £1 0,874,337. The number of members in the House of Representatives is 88, and it is only a question of arithmetic to dcmonstate that even on a property basis Canterbury is entitled to an additional six members. Wo will not enter into the question of production. If we did so, the comparison would be immensely in favor of this district. Otago will doubtless obtain three more members by the Adjustment of Representation Bill. That district is entitled to twenty-four members. Yet, daring the recent discussion in Parliament on the introduction of the Bill, the Otago members did not appear to view it with favor, and it was from them came the principal opposition to the Bill. The reason, we are sorry to say, is not of a very creditable nature. The principle of the Government scheme is already well known, and Otago does not like the prospect of Canterbury obtaining six additional members. This may be only guess work on our part, but it is a guess very near the truth. From the first days of settlement, Otago has continuously kept a jealous eye on the progress of Canterbury. Now that this provincial district is rapidly assuming the premier position in the colony, the uncharitablencss of our neighbors in the J?outh has not ceased. Of the twenty-two members who voted to shelve the Representation Bill, nine hail from Otago. It is a matter for curious reflection that nine gentlemen were found in the Assembly who voted for indefinitely delaying a measure which will confer three more members on the district they represent. Canterbury has only sent one of that sort to Parliament. Mr Montgomery the member for Akaroa, voted with the minority. All the other members from Canterbury, with the exception of Messrs Stud holme, Moorhouse, and Allwiiglit, who were absent, gave their votes in favor of the immediate consideration of the measure. The Representation Bill is the incest important measure introduced during the present session. Its passage would save the session from being regarded as a barren one.