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Waikato Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 2311, 3 May 1887, Page 2

Seeing that the Representation Bill, as introduced, contains all the principles required in such a measure the Opposition did right in letting the second reading pass without debate. These principles are : Ist, that it should be selfadjusting, and under the control of a non-political board ; 2nd, that the population generally should be its basis ; 3rd, that an allowance should be made in favour of the more sparcely populated districts; 4th, that the number of members of the House should be fixed for the future.

As regards the first and second of these, nothing need now be said. As regards the third and fourth they are, however, of the greatest importance, and their consideration will no doubt create a very great deal of discussion, probably of a very warm character.

As regards favouring the more sparcely populated districts, that principle was affirmed and acted upon in the last Representation Act, and as nearly as it could be done conveniently, an allowance of twenty-five per cent, was made. Now an examination of the latest returns shows that that proportinate advantage is still enjoyed by the country districts, and, reduced to figures, represents an advantage of about one hundred and forty thousand over the four large centres of population. This Bill however does not go nearly so far, and what it really proposes, -when analysed, means simply wiping out this advantage nearly altogether. Broadly put, it purposes to give country districts an advantage of eighteen thousand over suburban districts, by adding that number nominally to their actual population. In doing so, however, the quota all over the colony is thereby reduced by two hundred. By this means, supposing the country and suburban population to be about equal, nominally eighteen thousand becomes only a real advantage to the former of 9000 on the entire population of the colony. It is therefore manifest that this is not nearly sufficient, and if the bill were to pass as it now stands, the country districts must lose a great deal of their present power, and that power would, of course, be given to the towns. This point is of such importance

that a warm fight may be expected upon it, and there can be no doubt that for this reason alone we should be better without any Act than to pass the one now introduced without amendment. The gain of a couple of members to this island at the expense of the South is not sufficient to counterbalance this readical defect.

To give an illustration, the proposed nominal addition to the population of Waipa when worked out only amounts to about 200, which is at once extinguished by the addition of 200 to the quota required by the bill for the whole colony. As regards Waikato, the nominal addition is about 500, which is again reduced by the increased quota to 300. It is therefore manifest that the Bill is really a cleverly - devised scheme for increasing very much the power of the towns while professing to favour the country. This on no account ought to be permitted. Then we come to the question of the number of members, and this is all the more important, as it is to this that we must look for any material saving in expenditure, and not in any reduction of the honorarium, at least in the House of Bepresentatives. Payment of members is necessary in a democratic country, as otherwise the choice 1 of the people is limited either to rich men or to professional politicians, who go in to make it pay on some other way

it is therefore to be hoped that ,he House will cut their numbers clown to about 65, and thereby effect a material saving in expenditure. This would also have the effect of raising the average standard of our representatives by making constituencies larger. No reduction in the number of, say, 10 or 15 will be of any use.

For these reasons, while admitting the four general principles laid down in the Representation Bill now before the House, and which has therefore very properly passed its second reading, it is to be hoped that a tough fight will be made upon the third and fourth of them, and alterations made in the direction indicated. Unless that be done it would be better that we had no alteration in the present representation at all.