THE ELECTORAL REFORM BILL.

Auckland Star, Volume LIV, Issue 213, 8 September 1923, Page 13

THE ELECTORAL REFORM BILL.

'To the Edlror.> 6ir,—lt is a most notable fact that for a good while post now, nearly every measure put forward by the Reform administration has been invariably regarded with more or less suspicion by the majority of the electors of this country. Always there is an anticipation of "a nigger in the woodpile" somewhere, and the suspicion is usually justified. Mr. Massey's Electoral Bill is no exception. The adoption, by Reform, of preferential voting for single electorates in the country, as something better than the second ballot, (after eleven years' consideration) might at first sight be taken as a decided advance. Unfortunately, however, the "something better" is almost, if not entirely, nullified by allowing the elector to vote without compulsorily showing at least one preference. The result will be the same old first past the post system, which allow?, or makes possible, minority rule. With this material alteration, however, the bill would be an improvement on the present system, as it would secure the principle of majority rule, which in an alleged democracy ia vital. The writer is a believer in "Proportional Representation" which not only secures majority rule but also "fair representation for minorities," but would regard preferential voting in single electorates as a first step in the right direction provided the voter was compelled to show at least one preference in addition to his vote. Possibly if one could read the hill as circulated there may be other "little catches" in I it, but the one I have mentioned is vital and unless rectified renders the bill useless, and mere political camouflage. Mr. Edmund Jowett, in a valuable report on electoral reform in Australia, says: "The system of preferential voting in single electorates is a. very great improvement on the sudden death or first pa3t the post system, because it secures majority rule. The candidates are chosen by the electors themselves and not by a caucus, prevents vote splitting, and also accustoms the people to the idea of marking on the ballot paper their choice, in the order of their preference, making it easy for the people to understand the idea of proportional representation, which is really preferential voting for amalgamated, instead of single electorates."—! I am, etc, J. REA.