HAS THE CITY DRIFT STOPPED?

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23218, 1 April 1950, Page 4

HAS THE CITY DRIFT STOPPED?

€mmmm Prospects

(Special) WELLINGTON, April 1. THE census to b. 3 taken in April next year will give information on points of the greatest importance. It may disclose that the rapid drift to the cities lias been steadied, and that many provincial towns are now more than holding their own,

Is the South Island improving its population status in relation to the North Island? Periodic estimates of population distribution suggest that the drift has substantially slowed up, but it will be the census which will show exactly the extent of the improvement. If regular estimates of population arc a guide, there is reason to anticipate the loss of another South Island scat in the House of Representatives aTter the Representation Commission has made its calculations from the census details. The North Island sends 51 European members to Parliament, and the South Island 25 and population density in the North threatens to again widen the gap unless the legislature calls a halt. Tolerances In Allocating Seats A suggestion to be seriously considered by the now Parliament is that the present position should be stabilised. It is sure to be discussed because the new Government docs not favour the system of electorates based on adult population only. This method helps the cities and handicaps the country electorates where families are generally larger, but do not count for representation purposes until the children reach adult age. it is also argued by those favouring a change that population i ; s only one factor and that the economic contribution to the country s welfare by the more sparsely peopled areas should

: be recognised in assessing Parliamentary representation. The arithmetical tolerances permitted to the commission in allocat- . ing seats to population l groups is considered too narrow, causing remarkable boundary convolutions remini iseent of the time when “wet” constituencies were given narrow corridors on their margins so that hotels would ; not automatically be closed through i inclusion in “dry” areas. Basis of Comparison Over 45,000 New Zealanders were 1 overseas in the fighting forces when the 1 previous census was taken in 1945, | therefore the proper basis of com--1 parison for next year's enumeration 1 will be the 1936 census. This should effectively demonstrate how industry has ■ become more decentralised in the last ■ 15 years, with consequent improvement , in the more even distribution of the ■ Dominion’s population. ■ Sunday night was once the time for . filling in the census form, but modern habits involve week-end movement, so l the Government Statistician and his > staff prefer a mid-week evening for the , enumeration, and also a date in the i autumn when it is assumed that most . people have settled down into their • regular habitation. Preparations have commenced for • the big task, which at its peak, the ’ enumeration date, will require the serL vices of between 2000 and 3000 people-