The Electoral Boundaries,

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume III, Issue 437, 3 April 1890, Page 3

The Electoral Boundaries,

ACTION BY BOROUGH COUNCIL. At the Borough Council meeting on Tuesday evening, Cr Townley suggested that tbe Council take some action in regard to protesting against tbe proposed electoral boundaries, One of the Commissioners was now in Gisborne, and ho thought a small committee should be appointed to interview him. He pointed out tbe unsatisfactory nature of the boundaries proposed, and said that if action were not taken by tbe public bodies, it would be assumed that the electors were satisfied. The conditions of the plaea made it necessary than they sbcnld take every cpportuni'y of asserting their rights. He commented on the ridiculousness of cutting out the Arai riding and extending the district as far as P.uapehu, Tongariro, and Lake Taupo. He considered they had now a good opportunity of making direct representations to one of the Commissioners, which he thought would have more effect than sending petitions to Wellington. He would like to hear tbe Mayor’s opinion on the subject. Hie Worship seemed to think that anything done by the Council in such a matter would not have much effect. Tbe duty of the Commissioners had simply been a mathematical one to bring out tbe quota on the basil of population, and they had to carve the districts out in all kinds of ways to achieve their purpose. He thought tbe only persons who would be allowed to object would be those directly concerned, and who would be in danger of being disfranchised. Tne electors in the Arai riding eould urge that, —that their member could not take any real interest in the place, and Tauianga could not expect ptoper representation of its interests by persons elected by Gisborne. Mr Clark, the Chairman of tbe County Council, had been speaking to him in regard to getting tbe Borough Council to take action, and they arrived at the conclusion that the right course was for the Arai voters primarily interested to take the formal method of objecting, and if any general body of electors saw fit to unofficially support the action taken no harm could be done, but that on the other band it could not give weight to an objection of tbe kind. If they could reach tbe inhabitants of Taupo and get their objections it should hate a good effect. However, be had not tbe slightest disinclination to wait cn Mr Pe cy Smith, the Commissioner. No officer in the public service would be so willing ss that gentleman to listen to any representation made to h m on behalf of the gere-al public, and he was si re any commi tee selected to interview Mr Smith wou'd be tested with the greatest courtesy, He understood that pioper action had already been taken by the Arai electors. It was Hireling to the electorate to have to look af er such a laige area. If be might venture a prophecy, he believed that the upshot of tbe new basis cf representation would be the overthrow of the Government, and an election on the old lines. Every member concerned would feel it bis duty on behalf of his district to set matters right, with the result he indicated.

Cr Lures suggested ihat the respective Chairmen of the County Council and Harbor Board and the Mayor, form a deputation to wait upon Mr Percy Smith, the Commissioner. Tbe speaker also commented on tbe unsatisfactory nature of tbe boundaries, and the absence of adequate communication between different parts uf it. He fuither emphasised tbe necessity for the electors in the Arai riding tn be up and stirring in tbe matter. His Worship said there was no time for joint ectir n, as Mr Smith would soon be away. In regard io the Arai Mr Clark was fully alive to to tbe necessity < f action.

Cr Whinrsy thought that only the Arai people veie concerned in the matter.

Cr Townley spoke strongly against such a view, and supported the idea of Cr Lucas. Indi ed he believed Gisborne was more concerned than any other portion of the district, and it behoved them to take action. Suppose Tauranga, Boiorua, and those places combined and got their choice elected as against the Gisborne district, how woulifit be then ? The benefit of the wargii al allowance might well have been extended to a district like the East Coast, and some allowance might reasonably have been made for tbe large number of Maoris, or at any rate for the half-castes, in the district. If there was not time to get Mr Clark to fotm one of tbe deputation he ■ bought Mr Coleman, who lived near town, eould be asked to represent the Couniy Council, that body being unanimous in the matter.

Tbe suggestion in regard to the deputation was then unanimously agreed to.