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New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIII, Issue 7664, 15 June 1886, Page 4

We are glad to see that the Liberal Association has taken action on the subject of the redistribution of seats in the House of Representatives, to which attention has recently been called in our columns. At a meeting held on Saturday evening a resolution was unanimously adopted, affirming the desirability of forwarding to the General Assembly a petition requesting a Representation Act to be introduced this session, and inviting the co-operation of the public in this important movement. This action of tho Association is the mere opportune that, as will be seen from our Wellington special correspondent's telegrams, tho Ministry are disposed to avoid dealing with this question during the present session, and that they are suspected of an intention to enlarge the constituencies instead of increasing the number of seats. This might probably bo ot advantage, provided the seats were honestly redistributed as the population returns may require. This, however, would necessitate the reducing of the number of constituencies in the South Island and a corresponding increase in those in the North Island. But it is very doubtful whether the Government will be prepared to adopt this line of action ; and it is, moreover, certain that tho South Island members would oppose it if it were adopted. The loyalty of the Southern supporters of the Ministry would thus be endangered, and it may therefore be inferred that they .will either manoeuvre to get the matter postponed, or, if compelled to take action, will bring in a Bill providing that the proportion of seats as between the two Islands shall remain very much if not altogether as it is at present. This is, therefore, a question about which the representatives and public of Auckland ought to exercise the utmost vigilance, aud endeavour to bring it to an issue as early as possible, as their interests, more than those of any other part of the North Island, are involved. Their united aim accordingly ought to be to compel Ministers to declare their intentions on tho subject, and state tho principle on which they propose to legislate concerning it. As a proof that the people here, at all events, are in earnest on thia question, it is to be hoped that no time will be lost in having the petition respecting it prepared, and in getting it very numerously signed.