" MEASURES, NOT MEN " Tuapeka Times AND GOLDFIELDS REPORTER AND ADVERTISER. SATURDAY, MARCH 1, 1879. " MEASURES, NOT MEN "

Tuapeka Times, Volume XII, Issue 506, 1 March 1879, Page 2

" MEASURES, NOT MEN "

Tuapeka Times AND GOLDFIELDS REPORTER AND ADVERTISER. SATURDAY, MARCH 1, 1879.

There are unmnstakeable indications in the political atmosphere that disturbing elements are present ; and it seems more than probable that the current year will see an appeal to the country — a dissolution being rendered inevitable by the determined resistance of the Opposition in both Chambers of the Legislature to the measures necessary to give effect to the policy of the Government. Under these circumstances, it becomes the dnty of every qualified person not to allow the period of registration, which terminates on March 3 1st, to pass without placing his name on the Electoral Roll. It is"well known that many have been putting off their duty from year to year with expectation of the extension and alteration of the franchise, but we would counsel them to delay no longer, as circumstances are likely enough to require that the next Parliament be elected with the existing law, and before a proper readjustment could be effected. This would be a matter no doubt very much to be regretted ; but regret would be vain and in no wise alter the fact. We strongly, therefore, urge every man whom we have the opportunity of addressing through our columns, to lose no time in registering, in order that should a crisis occur, he may have a voice in the affairs of the Colony. Constituencies are frequently represented very much as they deserve to be; and if there is apathy and carelessness on the part of the electors — or of those who should be electors — the representatives, as a rule, will hardly be men of elevated public spirit, or qualified by independence and intelligence to fulfil their functions with advantage to the people. Upon the subject of the electoral policy, what Ministers intend to submit to the House next session,' the public at present are very much in the dark, although it has been in general terms indicated that this policy will go considerably beyond that embodied in the Bill — which, through the wicked pertinacity of the Legislative Council, in attempting to disfranchise the Native race, had to be withdrawn. This measure, as finally amended in Committee of the House at the instance of the Attorney-General, provided, as our readers are aware, for a considerable extension of the franchise in two directions — first, by lowering the " freehold qualification " one-half, thus extending the representation of property ; and secondly, by the institution of a " residential qualification," which practically, under certain restrictions, amounted to manhood suffrage, as every male person of twenty-one years of age and over who has resided two years in the Colony and six months in the electoral district previous to putting in his claim for registration would have been under this, qualified as an elector. Under the present system of representation, we are inclined to think that the extension is as far it is either judicious or requisite to proceed in the direction of reform. Every man who cares to take the trouble to register would have a vote, whilst the freeholder, whether resident or not, would retain as much the existing law, the right to vote in the district in which his freehold might be situated. This is the only concession which was proposed to property, and it can hardly be considered as less than reasonable. All popular rights, if they are not to evolve into great wrongs, must be subject to definition and limit, and this is especially the case with regard to " manhood suffrage," which, if exercised without registration or restriction as to residence and nationality, would simply develop into mob rule, and bring about a state of things which would be inimical tj the introduction and investment of capital, if not absolutely dangerous socially as well as politically. The requirement that a man shall register, and that previous to being able to do so he shall have resided in the Colony for a year or two, before he is qualified to vote, is no way out of accord with equal political rights, whilst such an arrangement constitutes a judicious safeguard against the usurpation of such rights by unprincipled cabals alleging themselves to represent either side in party politics. The effective and equitable representation of the people in Parliament is not, however, to be brought, about simply by extension of the franchise. The adjustment of the electoral districts upon some distinct principle as to population or otherwise, is imperatively demanded. At present this is all "nohow," and would seem to have been determined by the purest accident or caprice. The question is naturally involved in great difficulty, so long as the system of local representation is maintained. If the basis of population is taken, which appears to be the idea embodied in the " Constitution Act," the country districts would at once be overwhelmed by the great towns. If population is to be taken in conjunction with area and other considerations, perplexities as to proportionate importance arise. The

true solution may possibly be found in a modification of Hare's system, under which the electors of the Colony would be grouped iv electorates, numerically equal ; the number of votes being divided by the number of seats in the House, and every candidate who obtained that quota being returned, from however great a number of constituencies it might be gathered. The votes would, as at present, b« given locally \ but any elector would be at liberty to vote for any candidate, in whatever part of the country he might offer himself. Thus a fair representation throughout would be given, both to the majority and minority, and " equal electoral rights" niosb distinctly enjoyed. In a future article we propose to discuss fully the details of this scheme of iXEr Hare's, which, some few years ago, was embodied in the draft of an Act of Parliament, and has lately received considerable attention in the Home country.