TWO PARLIAMENTS.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 17985, 31 January 1924, Page 8

TWO PARLIAMENTS.

MR FLESHER'S IDEA. Commenting on the proposal of the Mayor (Mr J. A, Flesher) that the South Island should endeavour to get clear of tho political domination of tho North Island, so as to have greater scope in the development of its resources, a' well-known Cliristchurch business man said yesterday.—"A's a private person, 1 do not see that the plan suggested by Mr Fleslfer, the Mayor, is practicable: nor do I see -why the rights of the South. Island cannot be obtained by the present constitutional means. I thought at first that the Mayor was not in earnest in making this statement, but I find from the interview he gave to 'The Press' that he is. No doubt Mr Flesher was impelled by a very proper sense of duty to the interests of Christchnreh and of Canterbury, to make a strong protest in support of those rights. I should, however, require to give much more consideration to the matter than I have been able to givo it, before T could in any way agree that Mr Flesher's suggestion was feasible." "Tssecial to "the tsxss.") ■ WELLINGTON, January 30. Nothing more' than -what might be termed amused Comment can bo heard here regarding the idea of the Mayor of Christchurch that there should be two Parliaments in New Zealand, one for the North Island and one for the South Island. So far, none of the three Wellington newspapers has made any comment on the suggestion.

It is recognised generally that in these days of big national undertakings, the cry of "Back to provincialism" can have no serious- advocacy, even though there may be room for decentralisation in some directions.