OUR SYSTEM OF BALLOT.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIX, Issue 145, 18 June 1908, Page 6

OUR SYSTEM OF BALLOT.

THE PREMIER INTERVJU-WiSD. ' A BILL FOR NEXT SESSION. The Premier, Sir Joseph Ward, this morning informed a special representative of the "Star" that it is. the intention of the Government to bring down a Second Ballot Bill during the coming session, and further added that he had every reason to believe that the measure would be put through.

. Asked, to give a few particulars of the proposed bill, the Premier replied that he could not elaborate the proposal until it came before tbe House. It was desirable, •he said, that the system of minority representation should once and for all be abolished. From inquiries he had made, he was satisfied that, though much could be said for absolute majority, he was satisfied that there was not sufficient time to educate the people into the working of such a system. Unless the disposition by the voter of the first, second, third, fourth, or fifth vote, or the preference indicated to the number of candidates standing, -was made compulsory that would be ineffective. To make it compulsory would entail the disqualification of the vote, unless the elector carried out the compulsory requirements of the law in that respect. He had made extensive inquiries into its working, wherever it had been tried, and the Premier of Queensland had informed him that in that State the system had been- not to make the contingent vote compulsory, with the result that it was scarcely ever used. 1 This really meant that a continuance of the minority system of representation was observed.

"From other inquiries I have made," added the Premier, "it is quite certain that unless we impose a compulsory system of contingent vote in New Zealand, which would for certain entail a large number- of disqualifications, by reason of the short time in which the people could be educated, that we would find a simlar effect here. I say unhesitatingly that unless wo could effectively have a system by which minority representation could be absolutely stopped, it would be just as well to go. on as we are doing, I; am satisfied, after going thoroughly into the question, that a second ballot is. the only, system, which can at present meet the conditions, and insure majority representation." "The bill," added Sir Joseph, "when submitted to the House, will be found to contain the necessary provisions to I prevent a double expense on the part of those candidates who, are not returned with a majority ballot, and who require to go under the second ballot systpm. 1