The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE. THURSDAY, DEC. 8, 1887.

Waikato Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 2405, 8 December 1887, Page 2

The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE.

THURSDAY, DEC. 8, 1887.

Equal and exact justice to all men, Of whatsoever state ot persuasion, religious or political.

Amongst the most important Bills introduced during the present session is the one brought forward by Mr Peacock, member for Ponsonby, for the amalgamation of the constituencies of the four principal cities of the colony, Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin. It is proposed to form each of the above-named places into single electorates instead of being divided into separate districts, as at present. Auckland and its environs will return eight members, Wellington live, Christchurch live, and Dunedin will return eight representatives. The Bill contains regulations for the nomination and election of the candidates, together with the method of voting to be observed at the polling booths. Where more than the required number of candidates contest an election, the Returning Officer, in a manner set forth in the Bill, takes the aggregate number of votes polled by all the candidates, and ascertains the “ quota ” upon which the required number of members arc to be declared elected. A few years ago Mr Peacock was altogether unfavourable to the amalgamation of the city constituencies. It is, therefore, a remarkable example of what changes the course of events in the political arena will effect in the opinions of public men when we find a measure to bring about the very purpose sought to be obtained not a long time, ago by the representative bodies of the trades and industrial classes, now introduced by one of its then strongest opponents.