LEGISLATURE BILL

Evening Post, Volume C, Issue 112, 8 November 1920, Page 8

LEGISLATURE BILL

COUNTRY QUOTA QUESTION

The second reading of the Legislature Bill (which has previously been dealt with, by the Legislative Council, where it originated) was moved in the House of Representatives to-day by the Prime Minister (the Right Hon. W. F. Massey). Mr. Massey said" that, in addition to ifae clauses in. the Bill, which had already been, referred to, he proposed to incorporate the proposals in Mr. M'Oallum's Bill, viz., that the margins of rural electorate districts ba 1250,. instead of as at present, 550. Mr. J. M'Combs protested that the result of this would be to increase the strength of the present country quota, from, 28 per cent, to 50 per cent. He spoke emphatically 'against such a proposal.

This view was also supported by Dr. A. 1 K. N«wman (Wellington East).

The Leader of the Opposition (Mr. T. M. Wilford) said he was on© of those who believed there should be a greater discretion allowed to the boundary coimmissions, but he thought, the proposed margin vas too large. . He argued* in regard to other clauses in the Bill, that if there were certain members .from whom the Government had acquired buildings for offices, it would be better to state the naimes^fraiikly, than to adopt the clause in the Bill.. If everything were fair and above board the House would pass any necessary clause in two minutes.

Mr. R. M'Callum (Wairau) said that years ago, when the population of the Dominion was 600,000, the margin had been 750. Later, when Parliament had contained 'a number of energetic city members, it had been reduced to 550. Unless the margin was increased to 1250,----it would be impossible for the boundary commissioners to allow due consideration for community of interest in setting up the boundaries of electorates. The proposal in no way affected the country quota. " ' .

Mt. D. G. Sullivan (Avon) endorsed the remarks of the members for Lyttelton and Wellington East, as to the unfairness of Mr. M'Callum's clause. The clause would mean that primary industries would receive a consideration to their desires.

Mr. G. Witty .(Riccartcm) supported the clause, sayine tbStt community of interest was the thing to be oonr-lered. Mr. R. P. Hudson (Motueka) said it was ; impossible for some of the country members to attend to tboir electorates! properly," and therefore he supported the proposal to increase the marpn. Mr. R. Tloirn (Wakatipu) said that he had to travel 500 miles bo cross his electorate. He also instanoed the variety of .commercial and industrial interests in, his constituency. It was only right _ that the country should have the margin proposed. (Proceeding.)