SOUTH ISLAND ELECTORATES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19406, 14 August 1926, Page 8

SOUTH ISLAND ELECTORATES.

Although they have not received any public encouragement in their agitation, South Island, members of the Legislature have formally asked the Government to alter the basis of representation in Parliament. Nearly 40 years ago, Parliament determined that electoral districts should be measured in strict proportion to population, and that the number of European constituencies —which had risen to 91—should be fixed at 76. Southern politicians now propose that the South Island should be allotted 30 seats, and that the number for the North Island should vary in proportion to its share of the total population. Their contentions are based upon the presumption of a progres-' sive advance in the preponderance of the Northern population, so that they must recognise that their proposal involves a continuous increase in the size of Parliament. They do not pretend that this enlargement would produce a corresponding improvement in the country's government, but frankly admit that their only purpose is to prevent a further enlargement in the area of Southern electorates. That is certainly not a sufficient reason for disturbing the existing system. The difficulties experienced by Southern members in traversing their districts are exaggerated. When account is taken of the improvement in the meaps of communication—motor transport over better roads, extensive mail and telegraphic servicesit is obvious that the largest electorate is practically more convenient for the present-day member than the smallest country constituency twenty years ago. Nor have the promoters of the scheme given sufficient attention to its implications. By the operation of the present law, the North Island will gain one seat, making 47, at the redistribution shortly to be made ; growth of population at the same rate as in the last five years would give it another in 1931. Under Mr. Sidey's scheme, the South Island would retain 30 seats, the North Island would gain two now and certainly two more in 1931. Since 1906 the North Island copulation has increased by per cent. ; that of the South Island by 24 per cent. If expansion continues at those rates during the next two decades, and the effect of the country quota remains as it is at present, the allocation of seats in 1946 under the established system would be 53 to the North Island and 23 to the South. Bv Mr. Sidey's method, the North Island would have 70 seats and would have a majority of 40. instead of 30. in the House. A Parliament of 100 members for a population of little more than 2,000.000 people would be so extravagant that no other demonstration is needed of the fallacy of the scheme.