MORE M.P.'S NEEDED

Evening Star, Issue 19275, 14 June 1926, Page 7

MORE M.P.'S NEEDED

SCUTH ELECTORATES UMWORKABLY LARGE SUGGESTIONS BY REPRESENTATION COMMISSIONER. Mr Harman Reeves, one of the two Representation Commissioners for the South Island, was asked this morning if lie had any suggestion to make as to the position disclosed in an article in Saturday’s ‘ Star 1 about the probability of the South Island losing a seat. “Yes, I have,” replied Mr Reeves. “ The present representation is seventysix (total)—forty-six,for the North and thirty for the South. By the proposal now 'made it will bo forty-seven and twenty-nine. If this readjusting goes on the South Island will be turned into huge electorates that no man can spare the time to work properly. Some of them arc almost unworkable even now. Mr Henry Qnayne (my follow-commis-sioner for the South) and myself have often discussed the position and given it a lot of thought, and 1 take the responsibility of making a suggestion which you can pass on to any members of the” Legislature who may think it worth while taking up. Eighteen months ago I had an idea, that the population balance was going to swing this way, but the latest _ census’ figures indicate otherwise, and it is becoming a serious matter. My suggestion is this—l can sec no other remedy—that Parliament should authorise an increase of the number of members to eighty, giving (he North Island forty-eight and the South Island thirty-two. Wo have had no increase in the mini her for many years, and the population has vastly "increased, with the result that the quota is now much above what it was when seventy-six was fixed. 1 would add to the suggestion that if an increase is decided upon the number should bo subject to no variation for ten years, nor tho proportionate number. " Tho figures revealed by two censuses would".show whether another increase is necessary, or another adjustment.”