A BETTER VOTING SYSTEM.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 276, 21 November 1928, Page 6

A BETTER VOTING SYSTEM.

Almost any way must be an improvement on present methods of voting, so I am inter* ested in the views of your correspondent "A.8." They are certainly novel. He seems, however, to be quite satisfied that single-member electorates are the correct thing and that the expense of two elections is of little moment. Sir Joseph Ward, to his cost, has already had experience of a second ballot. It gave us Reform rule for seventeen years. I would commend the notice of your correspondents and newly-elected members of Parliament to the proved Value of proportional representation voting. It is a, proved method in Tasmania, Europe and Soutk America. To illustrate, let us take 6ay. five of the present one-seat electorates, viz.: ParnelL Auckland East, Central, West and Grey Lynn. Make of these five one large electorate returning five members. The elector would have a, choice of as many candidates as cared to stand. Pre-selection would be quite unnecessary. By placing Uie numeral 1 in front of hie best-liked candidate he would register his first preference, then 2, 3, 4, 5, and so on, to as many preferences v as desired. Suppose the voter to be a Labour man. He could vote as hereunder: 6 Anderton, 4 Bartram, Dickson, KTOonald, 11 Fletcher, Hewitt, 12 Jenkins, Joiner, 5 Lee, 9 Lysnar. Ma«mire. 2 Parry, 8 Potter, 1 Savage, 7 Speirs, 3 YarnalL He could discontinue his numbering at anytime, or continue right along and register his preferences to as many candidates as are on the ballot paper. This would be quite optional. So long as there was one number marked the paper Arould be in order. The elector woul 1 not necessarily get his whole five men elected,' but would be sure of some representation. Savage and Parry might be defeated, but Yarnall might wiii. So then his third choice would represent his views. Of all the methods of voting that has come under my notice during a thirty-year study this method is the mo«t to.be commended. It is as near perfect (it eeems to me) as is anything devised by human mind - J- JOLLEY THOMAS.