RESULTS OF THE CENSUS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 14690, 26 May 1911, Page 8

RESULTS OF THE CENSUS.

WHAT THE NORTH GAINS.

'A SOUTHERN PETITION.

Though tho census total is about 200,000 off the final tally, it has become evident that tho North "island will take at least two seats from the South as a result of tho flow of population northwards since tho 1905 census. Tho Representation Commissioners will probably be ready to commence their rearrangement of electoral boundaries in six weeks' time (says tho Now Zealand Times). When they sat in 1905, the populations of the respective islands was: North, 476,732; South, 411,644.

Tho Commissioners, in allocating districts for the 76 European members are entitled to add 25 per cent, to the rural population, and .when this was done, tho total divided by 76 was 13,400. This year, the quota is likely to bo at least 2000 higher for each constituency, so that Wellington's increase of 13,606 (mostly in Suburbs and Hutt electorates) is likely to be swallowed up in the extra quotient on tho six seats in and around the city.

The views of some of the members representing these seats were obtained by a New Zealand Times representative. Mr. T. M. Wilford was satisfied that his constituency, Hutt, will not be much affected by the Representation Commission's operations. Ho thought there would be alterations in tho Suburbs seat, possibly the creation of another one, pushing the Otaki electorate further north.

The Suburbs member, Mr. J. P. Luke, also inclined to Mr. Wilford's opinion that a new seat might be created just outside Wellington. "Possibly the whole of the city seats will be moved further south.. and a now seat created to include Ngaio, Khandallah, Johnsonvillo, and possibly Porirua," he suggested. Tho population in Mr. Luke's constituency has bounded up by 7270 since tho previous count. The figures for Horowhenua County are not available, so that Mr. W. H. Field, member for Otaki, could not speculate upon the probable- changes in his electorate, seeing that so much of it comprises that county. "Generally speaking, it looks as if things will be left as they are," was his summing up of tho position.

Anticipating that the tendency in the South Island will be to increase the size of tho present constit.uonces, in view of the larger increase in population in the North Island, Mr. John Duncan, member for Wairau, hopes to see that portion of Marlborough province which was included in the Nelson electorate at the last revision of boundaries, returned to hrs electorate, with which it is, in his opinion, more naturally associated. A petition to that effect is already in circulation, and will be placed before the Representation Commissioners when they are ready to proceed with their task.