CENSUS REPORT, 1916

New Zealand Times, Volume XLII, Issue 9718, 21 July 1917, Page 7

CENSUS REPORT, 1916

ELL ECTOR A L BOUNDARIES QCE* TION. The Hon. G. W. llusscl! (Minister.foi Internal Affairs') laid on the table o) the House of Representatives yesterday the Censur Report, 1910, and moved that it c printed. Mr G. V. Pearce, (P.-.tea) asked th< Minister whether, in connection with tho report, steps would be- taken in oonfonnity with the Act to define the boundaries of the h'fhv electoral districts for the next genera! election. The Prime, Minister intimated that such steps would he taken. Mr W. Nosworthy (Ashburton) asked if it would be right'to, ask the Boundaries Commissioner* to study the natural boundaries of the districts, community of interests, and means -of-coin-munieiition, instead of skipping about so much. A great deal, he urged, could be done to make the whole system much more workable and convenient for all concerned. Air Russell replied that the committees to be set up were statutory committees, and they were required by low simply to adjust the constituencies so .that each constituency should ns far as possible, within a narrow margin, - have the same number of electors. Mr A. S. Malcolm (Clutha): '‘Would it not be wise to increase the rcar--21 Mr Russell: ‘'That would he a mat ier for legislation." That the Prim* Minister should take any part in regard to the adjustment, of tho elec-t-orates wn“ contrary to the law: anl he was quite sure that- the Prinu , Minister would-recognise that. (Hear,, hear.) . The motion was carried.