THE ELECTORAL BOUNDARIES.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 12403, 12 July 1902, Page 6

THE ELECTORAL BOUNDARIES.

No 0110 who is acquainted with the ' district will venture to assert that between the portion of St. Kilda which < tho Electoral Boundaries Commissioners have included in Chalmers and the rest of that constituency there is any com- ■ mimity of interest. On the other Laud, there is a distinct community of interest between the Musselburgh Ward, of St, Kilda and the whole of tho Caversham electorate) from which it has been arbitrarily lopped off. But it (is fdir' lo recognise the difficulties which assail the Commissioners in the adjustment of boundaries upon the population basis. They aro charged to give "due consideration," in the execution of their task, "to the present boundaries of electoral districts, to community' of interest, facilities of communication, and topographical; features." Now, ■an electorate composed of the three boroughs on the Flat would, regard being had to these considerations, .be an ideal one. But Caversham, -so constituted, would contain a population ■ largely in excess of the proportion required, If we take the census returns of last year we find, that, with three exceptions (Ohinemun, Eden, and Wellington Suburbs), Caversham was the most populous of the single electorates iu the colony. In the case of Eden and in the case of Wellington Suburbs the surplus population is provided for hy the creation of new electorates—those of Grey Lynn and Newtown respectively —and by an adjustment of boundaries that is not regarded as objectionable. In the case of Ohinemuri a considerable change has been made, and a- great deal ■ of dissatisfaction is the result: its most populous centre has been transferred to another constituency. In the immediate Vicinity of Dunedin the growth an the population has not been sufficient to warrant the creation of a new seat, and tho Commissioners have had to make the best of a difficult- situation. That their best has not given satisfaction docs, not necessarily imply that any better'arrangement could have been made. The suggestion has been thrown out that the Borough of Maori Hill should be divided up, and half of it (in place of a portion of St. Kilda) given to Chalmers and. Ihe balance retained in 'Dunedin, but the want of a community of interest between Maori Hill and Port Chalmers is as apparent as it is between St. Kilda and Port Chalmers. A more desirable fofent, if it could be carried 'out, would bo to push the boundaries of Chalmers further north, and to include in that constituency the districts immediately north of Port Chalmers which the Commissioners have placed in Waikouaiti. But if the three Flat borougjis wore preserved as one constituency theii united population, amounting to about 12,330 souls, would form a disproportionately large electorate. It is only just that, in any criticism of the Boundaries Commission's work, that fact should be fully recognised.