TO-DAY'S ELECTION

Auckland Star, Volume LIII, Issue 72, 25 March 1922, Page 6

TO-DAY'S ELECTION

To-day's general election in New South Wales has several points of interest for New Zealand. For one thing it is conducted on the system of proportional representation, which is gradually coming to the front as a live issue in this country. Let us contrast two sets of figures. According to the calculations of the Proportional Representation Society in England, the Reform party -polled 4428 votes per scat in the 191!) New Zealand election, the Liberal party 8636 votes, and the Labour party 1 .">,740 votes. In the New South Wales election of 19 - 20, hoAvever,

when proportional representation Avas given it- first trial in that State, the Labour party polled 5748 votes, the Nationalist party 5863 votes, and tbe Progressive party 5479 votes, per seat. In other Avords, proportional representation ensured a practical equality of vote value. The election held to-day is a struggle ibetwecn two sides that have since 1920 liecn even in strength. The Laibour party, formerly led by Mr. John Storey, and now- iby Mr. John Dooley, ift indicted 'by its opponents for inefficient administration and gross extravagance, in the ttvo years of Labour rule public expenditure has risen from £23,000,000 to £35,000,000, and the Government proposes, if it is returned, to raise another two millions in taxation, which is already much higher in Xew South Wales than in the neighbouring State of Victoria, Avhere La.bonr is not in office. Mr. Dooley's programme includes the abolition of the Legislative Council, subdivision of large holdings, motherhood endo\A - ment, limitation of dividends in the case of monopolies and public utilities, and the maintenance for the current year of the present 'basic wage. Both sides suffer from internal dissension. The extremists on the Labour side are not satisfied with the policy of the Government, and the Opposition is divided into tAvo parties, Nationalists and ProgressiAes. The coalition is effectively oganised only in the metropolitan electorates; in the country * the fight is three-cornered. In 1920 only 51! per cent of the enrolment voted, n pe.renla£_e which, for the sake of the State's welfare, one rr.iy hope Avill he substantially exrerded to-day.