SOUTH ISLAND’S SHRINKING ELECTORATE

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 132, 25 August 1927, Page 14

SOUTH ISLAND’S SHRINKING ELECTORATE

REPRESENTATION PROBLEMS A MINIMUM SUGGESTED (THE SUN’S Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, Wednesday. The introduction of several new clauses into the Legislature Amendment Bill, now before the House of Representatives, is sought by the member for Temuka, Mr. T. D. Burnett, who addressed an urgent question to the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates, this afternoon. Mr. Burnett asked the Prime Minister to consider the advisability of introducing clauses providing for: (1) A minimum Parliamentary representation for the South Island; (2) An increase in the electoral quota from 1,250, in order to give the commissioners a greater opportunity to preserve community of interest in the electorates; (3) To provide that towns of 6,000 inhabitants and upwards shall not lose their political identity. Mr. Coates replied that if a minimum number of members were fixed for the South Island, it probably would lead to an unsatisfactory state of affairs when the population increased. There was no doubt that 1,250 was rather a small number for rural areas, and it would be better if it were increased. It would be rather difficult to comply with the third request, and the Government never interfered with the commission, the decision of which had always been accepted. The general question of representation in the North and South Islands was under careful consideration by the Government, added Mr. Coates, and if anything further was decided regarding the adjustment of electorates, the House would be informed at a later opportunity.