DOMINION POPULATION

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 16376, 2 November 1916, Page 7

DOMINION POPULATION

INCREASES IN THE NORTH.

PARLIAMENTARY SEATS..

AUCKLAND MAY GAIN TWO.

|BY TELEGRAPH. OWN* CORRESPONHENT.]

WELLINGTON, Wednesday. Jit>gixg from a. return already received by the Government statistician as to the result, of the. recent census, there has been a decided shrinkage in the population of the South Island since the last 'quinquennial stock-taking. The Hon. G. \V. Russell, Minister for Internal Affairs, pointed out to-day that so far some places in the South Island har 1 not only not shown a normal increase, but had exhibited an actual decrease. Typical increases in the North Island -were as follows: — Dovonport ... ... _ 324 Te Kuiti .... ... ... 716 Dargaville ... ... ... 489 Wairoa ... 456 Kawhia Town District ... 12 Hcbson County ... ... 131 Otamatea County ... ... 95 Kawhia County i a part from town district 109 The decreases apply to the South Island, viz. : Oamaru 11, Temuka 105, Arrowtown 99, Quecnstown 39, Winton 22, Greymouth 609, runner 409, Akaroa County "273, Akaroa. Borough 82. Riverton 99, Paimersion South 40, Waihemo County 201. Lawrence 74. No figures for the lower part of the North Island arc yet available, but all the local governing districts in the northern portion of the North Island show an increase, while similarly-situated districts in the South Island and west coast of the South Island show a decrease. As to the effect that this movement of population may have on the Parliamentary representation of the two islands it is impossible at present to predict, but indications are that the Auckland district may easily gain two seats at the expense of the South Island. Movement of population brought about by the enlistment of men on active service will not, speaking broadly, affect the allotment of the quota necessary to make up the various Parliamentary electorates. As near as possible those who have gone into camp will be alloted to their respective districts on the basis of a certificate issued by the Minister for Defence to the Representation Commissioners. Under the Legislature Act two permanent commissions are appointed one for each island, for the pur, pose of cutting the Dominion up into suitable electorates on a population basis, founded, as far as possible, on the result of the immediately preceding census. First of all. the two commissions sit together for the purpose of fixing the total number of electorates in each island, and, that question settled, each commission sits separately and acts independently in adjusting the electoral boundaries for its own island. No time is fixed by law for calling together the commission, except that it cannot be until after the report of the Government statistician has been received.