HOME FRANCHISE.

Te Aroha News, Volume I, Issue 40, 8 March 1884, Page 3

HOME FRANCHISE.

Those interested in the progress of political reform in the United Kingdom will read with pleasure the statement published in our cable news on Saturday that Mr Gladstone ha? notified to the House of Commons the intention of Government to introduce a bill this ses&ion dealing with the equalisation of the franchise. It is not clear whether the projected measure merely aims at abolishing the anomalous county franchise, against which many assaults have been previously directed, or whether its scope will embrace the creation of new electoral districts. Anything short of a complete reform would be unworthy of the Gladstone Government, besides being intensely unsatisfactory to the populace. On the other band, any policy which would, greatly extend the power of the people is certain to gain support for the Ministry, and to more than compensate for the want of a popular foreign policy. The equalisation ot the county and borough franchises, or a complete reconstruction of the representative machinery, will of necessity involve a redistribution of seats ; and a measure to that end is also promised. It is plain, however, that a redistribution might be advantageously carried out without any extension of the franchise, as Scotland especially has very inadequate representation. It is stated that the new proposals involve the addition of two millions ot voters to the rolls, and Mr Gladstone considers it proper that additional representation should be granted in the shape of extra members of the House of Commons. No indication is given, however, as to the basis of the extended representation. If the creation of new electoral districts on the basis of population is intended, it is well-nigh impossible to forecast the result on political parties and political and social progress. The Conservatives say that the extension of the franchise in counties would mean a great accession to the ranks of their supporters ; but they would like to manage the redistribution of seats. The stronghold of Radicalism is in the cities and towns, which is just another way of saying that education and intelligence are more general in town than in country communities; and if the population basis of representation is adopted, with a ju&t allocation of seats, there can be no doubt of the triumph of the principles of progress. Whichever party may temporarily gain, there can be no doubt that the introduction of the proposed bill will mark an important era in the political history of the United Kingdom : and if it is passed, as every lover of liberty will wish, it will broaden the basis upon which England's greatness rests, while it must in time certainly lead to mighty changes in the social fabric— changes for the abolition of privilege, the wiping-out of class distinctions, and the advancement instead of "the greatest good of the greatest number." The Tories will doubtless make a desperate fight in opposition to tho reform ; defeated, they will strain every nerve to get the redistribution of seats into their own hands, so that in giving the notice which he did, Mr Gladstone has thrown down the gauntlet for a groat party struggle to signalise the closing days of the present Parliament.

A coloured preacher said to his flock : "We has a collection to make dis mon'ing, and fo' de sake of yo' reputation, which ever of you stole Mr Jones's turkeys don't put anything on de plate. One who was there says, "Every blessed niggah in de church came down wid da rocks." Hon. Mr Mitchelson is in hot water with Otago people because he cannot satisfy their inordinate craving for grants for public works.