PARLIAMENTARY REPRESENTATION.

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 220, 10 February 1917, Page 5

PARLIAMENTARY REPRESENTATION.

Mr Russell's statement that no Com-

mission will be set up to define the new electoral boundaries till after the next session of Parliament has revived the hope of the proportional representatiohists that the Government is seriously considering the adoption of their cure for the political ills of the country. The Minister's own explanation of the delay—that it is undesirable the new boundaries should -be made known while there are two sessions of the present Parliament ahead —will carry conviction to no one. In v/ar time it is necessary to withhold from the public information that would be cf value to the enemy, but the readjustment of the people's representation can hardly be included in this category. Xor would Mr. Russell or anyone else think of suggesting that a member's zeal on behalf of his constituents would be lessened by the knowledge that he might not require the assistance of some of them at the next general election. Then, if the Government really .h as proportional representation in contemplation it ought to let the electors know as early as possible, so that they might have an opportunity to discuss the proposal in all its phases before its submission to Parliament. Surprise legislation on a question of this sort would be utterly inexcusable.