SPIRIT of the PRESS.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 746, 18 June 1886, Page 21

SPIRIT of the PRESS.

The complete census returns for all the electoral districts of this Colony were presented to Parliament last Friday night by the Premier, and are published in full in another column. It will be seen that they show the total increase in the European population of the Colony to have been very nearly 100,000 in the fii e years which have elapsed, since the last census was taken. It will also be observed that there is a carious irregularity in the distribution of the. increase ..but that on the whole the North Island has much the best of it. The growth of several electorates is very remarkable, and another noteworthy feature is the surprisingly large number of electors in the Eoxton and Egmont Electorates as compared with other more populous districts. The figures will repay attentive perusal and comparison. It should be mentioned that tbe returns have been completed just a week earlier than in 1881. Consequently as the Hall Government in 1881, although the census results were not in until a week later, undertook and carried through in the face of enormous preliminary difficulties of arrangement and subsequent difficulties of obstruction, the present Representation Act, surely this Government may very well follow that example, especially as the task now is somuch easierthanitwasthen. Nosuch radical reform of the representation system is now needed as was then carried out. We hope, therefore, that now they have the complete census returns for which they have been waiting, the Government will promptly set to work to prepare a scheme of suitable redistribution, to be dealt with by Parliament daring the present session. There is not the slightest valid reason why this should not be done.