A PROBLEM IN DEMOCRACY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 138, 13 June 1934, Page 6

A PROBLEM IN DEMOCRACY.

Deeper questions perhaps than the most satisfactory way to elect a harbour board are raised by the discussion of the Auckland bpdy on its own basis of representation. Election by sectional interests was objected to, but it is these sectional interests that are most directly concerned with shipping. In this respect the system may be described as a democracy within a democracy. It was advanced as an argument against the present system that a payer of £3 in annual dues has the same voting power as one who pays some thousands This anomaly, however, is present in political voting. The wealthy man and the relief worker are on the same footing. Objection was also raised to the appointment of a Government nominee to the Board, and it was stated that the Government never made its opinions known through this member or asked him to report. This may be a weakness in the composition of harbour boards, but one is not necessarily undemocratic if one believes that excellent personnel for public Boards can be obtained under the system. But if the Harbour Board is not to be elected on the present basis, what is proposed? A popular election would add to the already large number of bodies so chosen, and it is notorious that public interest in these is apathetic. At the last Auckland City Mayoral election, in 1933, only 48.9 per cent of electors voted, while in i local body elections generally the percentage lis rarely above 50.