NEW BOUNDARIES

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 129, 4 June 1927, Page 10

NEW BOUNDARIES

THE LOCAL SEATS

MEMBERS' VIEWS

ATTITUDE OF LABOUR

The proposals for changes in the boundaries of the Wellington city electorates naturally have caused local members of Parliament to do some rough figuring to ascertain their future election prospects. Objections to the Boundary Commissioners' recommendations may be lodged up till 27tli June, but it is not clear yet whether any of the local members will challenge the proposals. It is stated that though the Labour Party has not yet considered the question of the altered boundaries, it will accommodate it-

self to the changes.

The member for Wellington North, Sir John Luke, remarked that the Boundary Commissioners had had a very unfortunate duty to perform, and one must realise that no doubt they had done their best in the circumstances that confronted them. Sir John said he had no complaint to make concerning the readjustment of the boundaries of the district he represented, but he believed it was essential so far as possible to maintain the existing boundaries and keep intact the community of interests within the electorate. Becognising how unenviable a task the Commissioners had, he did not wish to express any disagreement with them. Personally, he was sorry his district had been altered to such a large extent. If the recommendations were carried out he would lose a number of friends, but he would endeavour to make others in the'new portion of territory allotted to him. Speaking generally, he re _ marked that the Commissioners had made large alterations in the "Wellington area, especially in Wellington North ;and Wellington East—changes that would give a new interest' at' the General Election. -

The Minister of Education, the Hon. R. A. Wright, wTio represents Wellington Suburbs, declined to make any comment .upon the changes effected in his electorate.

NOT SERIOUSLY AFFECTED.

The changes in the boundaries of Wellington South are not. regarded by the representative, of the district, Mr. E. M'Keen, as likely to affect him seriously.. He remarked that though' he had lost Brooklyn and district,' where he had made many friends, particularly in the last election campaign, he would now have Island Bay in his. electorate, so that he anticipated the position would remain much as it was before Naturally he regretted to lose the many friends and close associations that had been formed in those areas, of,which he would be > deprived. He would continue to strive to represent fairly all sections of the community within his electorate. Mr. M'Keen expressed his satisfaction that the Commissioners had defined fairly straight lines as the boundaries of his district. The boundaries in other districts, howover, were very awkward. It was ridiculous, ho thought, to take Kelburn out of Wellington North, the district in which it should naturally lie. Wellington Central, as readjusted, was another change he found it hard to understand. In some of the country districts, notably Bay of Islands and Bay of Plenty, changes had been made in boundaries which appeared to bo most ridiculous. '

Mr. T. Forsyth • (Wellington East) remarked that, as it appeared that tho electoral districts had to be altered an accordance with movements of population, tho new boundaries proposed by the Commissioners in Wellington East seemed to be moro natural than they wore before; they embraced tho whole of the eastern part of Wellington .whereas previously a large part was included m the suburbs. There could bo no argument, therefore, that the community of interests had been disturbed. While ho regretted losing many friends on the Mount Victoria side, lie hod no objections to raise against the action of tl» Commissioners. Ho hoped to mnke new friends in tfce new territory allocated t. him.

ON WITH THE WORK.

Speaking personally, Mr. P. Fraser (Wellington Central) said ho regretted tho alteration which excluded a largo part of tho existing Wellington Central from the new' electorate of that name During eight and a half years as representative of the constituency he had come to know many of tho residents in that locality intimately;'his association with them had always ■ been of tho kindliest and most pleasant naturo, and among them,he had numerous personal friends. It was only natural, therefore, that ho should have personal regret. Ho hoped, however, that if he had the honour to bo selected again as Labour candidate for Wellington Central, his association with the. residents of the new portion of the electoral- formerly in Wellington East would bo just as cordial and friendly. "Labour's supporters," said Mr, Fraser, "will vote for Labour's objective, platform, and policy regardless of electoral boundaries, and it is the cause, not the' individual ropresentative, that is all-important Tho Labour Party will just accommodate 1 itself to the new electoral boundaries and go on with-its work.''

FIGURES SHOULD BE PUBLISHED.

Speaking generally, Mr. Fraser said it was to be presumed that the Commissioners, being faced with the.' difficult problem of readjusting the electoral areas in accordance with the growth of the city and the movement of population, went minutely and fairly into the matter before arriving at their decisions. If the figures of the population of the respective new electorates were published it would be easier to form an opinion.. "Those figures should be published immediately," he declared. "There seems to be no object in refraining from making them public. It is possible for a variation of 500 in population to take place as two electorates—that is, 250 either above or below the number as determined by following tho method laid down in the Act. Such a large variation is easily avoidable in city electorates., It is important, therelore, that the actual position in this respect should be made clear by the Commissioners without delay. "The Labour Party," said Mr. Fraser has not yet considered the question of the altered boundaries. You may bo certain that if thero are any grounds for objection they will not be overlooked by the party. In regard to the question as to how the prospects of Labour will be affected by the alterations, it is far too early to say. I will be able to prophesy accurately on that point on election night after I see the ngures on the 'Evening Post' board I always feel it. safe to prophesy then after I know. The Labour Party, knowing that the possible effects on the prospects of the various parties is outside the business of the Boundaries' Commission, will simply determine to go on with its work of convincing the maiorlty of the people of Wellington that its cause la a righteous one based upon na- , tional andinteinationaljuatieo, and -wilL