Wairarapa Standard Published Tri-weekly, Price 1d. WEDNESDAY, JUNE 16, 1886. Census and Representation of the People.

Wairarapa Standard, Volume XIX, Issue 1845, 16 June 1886, Page 2

Wairarapa Standard Published Tri-weekly, Price Id. WEDNESDAY, JUNE 16, 1886. Census and Representation of the People.

The approximate results of the late census have been laid before Parliament. Looking through the returns we arrive at the following results North Island—lßßl, total population, 191,169 ; 1886, total population, 247,404. Increase of population in North Island for 1881 to 1886, 56,235. South Island—lßßl, total population, 290,850 ; 1886, total population, 326,076. Increase of population in South Island from 1881 to 1886, 35,226. The Maori population is not included in the foregoing figures. The Chinese are ineluded, which give an advantage to the South Island, seeing that with the exception of 283 of these people living in this Island, all the rest, to the number of 4083, are located in the South Islaud.

Applying the results of the census to the question of redistribution of representation, the Evening Post says “Assuming the number of members for the colony is to remain unaltered at 91, the quota necessaiy to qualify for a member is increased by as nearly as possible 1000 souls, and is now practically 6300. At this rate the North Island is entitled to 39 members instead of 36, and the South to 52 instead of 55. The population of the electorates in the Wellington Provincial District is such as to entitle it to 11J members, instead of 10 ; and Auckland is entitled to 20J, instead of 19 members. Hawke’s Bay is entitled to more than half a member more ; and Taranaki is over-represented to a small extent. The practical result is that Auckland, Wellington, and Hawke’s Bay are entitled to three additional members, and that they will even then leave a balance for more than sufficient to make up the Taranaki deficiency, In the South Island, NMson and Marlborough are both over-represented to the extent of nearly a member between them. Westland is over-represented to the extent of something less than half a member. Canterbury is over-represented by over a member and a third, while Otago has very nearly half a member more than it is entitled to.’’

After all the talk and writing which has been indulged in with respect to the redistribution of representation, it now appears that little necessity exists for making any material alteration in the state of things prevailing at present. Certainly the North Island should have three more members, and the South Island three less. But after all there is not much to fight about in redistribution of the representation.