THE REPRESENTATION BILL.

Press, Volume XLVI, Issue 7380, 5 August 1889, Page 5

THE REPRESENTATION BILL.

FUETTTEI! JJ£ ZNDSLEMS ri;oi : oS£D* SOME QUOTA CALCULATIONS. [By Telegraph. 1 [fftom our special correspondent.] WELLINGTON, August 4. Since the compromise was effected a complete calm, has set in in matters political. The tone of the House has changed to one of peace and brotherly love, and members are all in the most friendly mood. Gossip says that the Ministry were so overjoyed a.t the success of Messrs Moss and Seymour's negotiations tliat they could hardly contain themselves, and treated M r Moss like one of their oldest and most trusted supporters.

The exact wording of the new clause has been giving a good deal of trouble. The Ministry and Messrs Moss and Seymour were closeted for over two hours without coming to a decision on the matter. It was stated that Sir Frederick Whitaker framed a. clause, but it was not satisfactory to the town party. On Saturday morning, Messrs Downie Stewart, Perceval, Allen, and Dr. Fitchett, sought the assistance of Mr McKerrow, formerly a member of the Representation Commission, in drawing up a clause that would satisfy both sides, and this will be submitted in due course.

Though the majority on both sides are now agreed on the main features of the Bill, there will still be a deal of talk over it. There ace numerous amendments, ■which are certain to give rise to much debate. Among these are Sir George Grey's abolition of plural voting, and Mr Guinness' plan for getting over minorities electing candidates. Mr Feldwick proposes to reduce the number of Maori members from four to three. The principal element of discord, however, will be the treatment of the larger boroughs. The representatives of the larger boroughs who have been supporting hitherto the country party, and who now find themselves left in the lurch as it were by being debarred from the exercise of the 28 per cent, quota offered, are naturally much incensed. It is improbable that they will attempt any stonewalling, as they are not only not strong enough to do so with any hope of success; but the House as a whole is weary of such tactics. It is said, however, that they will organise, and make an attempt to reduce the allowance to country districts to 25 per cent., and obtain its extension to all boroughs of less than 5000 inhabitants. The following table, compiled by Mr Frankland, the Actuary to the Government Insurance Department, shows how the various proposals made would work out. In the first place, on the principle of adding to the population of the country districts (the basis now accepted); and, secondly, that proposed by the Government Bill, of deduction from the city populations, of the Act of 1887, with 18 per cent.:— No. of Quota. Members. 18 per cent, added— ' Town 9,147 22.2 Country ... ... 7,755 47.8 25 per cent, added— Town 9,517 23.3 Country ... ... 7,(511 48.7 28 per cent, added— Town 9,676 21.9 Country 7,565 49.0 33i per cent, added— 3 *Town 9,959 20.4 Country 7,483 49.6 25 per cent, deduction — Town 10,220 14.5 Country ... ... 7,G0'5 55.5 28 per cent, deduction— Town 10,557 14.9 Country 7,601 56.0 33* per cent, deduction — Town 11,232 13.2 Country ... ... 7,488 5(3.8 25 per cent, added to country— Town 9,713 15.2 Country 7,770 54.8 From this it will be seen that the quota under the "28 per cent, added," which has been agreed to, is for towns 9676 and for country 7565. The country will return 49 members and towns 21. Lfboh ouk cokeespondent.] WELLINGTON, August 3.

When the Representation Billifl in Committeed, Mr Feldwiek will move that there only be three Maori members in future, taus reducing the number of members from seventy-four to seventythree. Mr Guinness will move the following new clause: —" Unleee a candidate at election receives an absolute majority of votes recorded the Returning Officer shall not declare such candidate to be elected, but shall proceed to take a second poll, after giving the notices in that behalf required by law, at which second poll only 'tile two candidates who have received the largest number of votes at the first poll shall be entitled to be Candida -es, and the candidate then receiving the largest number of votes shall be declared to be elected." This practice is in vogue in gome continental systenu,, but it is not likely to be adopted here. '.'. I am assured that a majority of the House are pledged not only to the abolition of the plural vote, but also to the amalgamation of the city electorates.

Sir John Hall will probably move the clause extending the franchise to women. The following are the names of the boroughs which will be excluded from participation iv the 28 per cent, advantage to the country districts: —New Plymouth, Greymouth, Petone, Nelson, Thames, Gisborne, Onehunga, Devonport, Palmerston North, Masterton, Port Chalmers, Hokitika, Lyttelton, Wanganui, Blenheim, Oamaru, Napier, and Timaru.