REPRESENTATION BILL.

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 385, 17 July 1889, Page 5

REPRESENTATION BILL.

This Government measure, when it makes its appearance on Tuesday, is sure to come in for a great deal of hostile criticism, but it will at least have the strong support

of the town party. The real intention of the country party in their determined efforts to secure a quota of 33^ per cent, is to isolate the tour large cities of the colony, presuming that the reduced number of members is adhered to, and thi3 seems certain for the Government seem inclined to appeal to the country it any attempt is made to upset that. These four large cities with their overwhelming population v/ould have 14 members out ot 70. Auckland would only return four instead of live, the contiguous boroughs being absorbed in it. The Government measure will not, if proposocl, alter the existing stato of things as relating to boroughs of 2,000 and upwards, but it will meet the country party half-way by increasing their quota from 18 to 25 per cent. The town members recognise that they are in an almost hopeless minority, as 53 membors are pledged to carry tho 33^. per cent, quota, and will accept a Government measure which will give the four large cities 16 members and country districts 54. The dispute over the quota promises to be the fight of the session, and I am expecting that when the measure reaches tho Committee there will be a repetition of the stonewalling tactics of la?t session. Further developments will be anxiously looked for.