THE LEGION AND P.R.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 150, 27 June 1934, Page 6

THE LEGION AND P.R.

So after all the great flourish of trumpets we learn that the New Zealand Legion stands for nothing in particular. It is neither horse nor ass—only mule—a hybrid. Both our Government and His Majesty's Opposition need have no fear of having any ground cut from under their feet. The legion's plank of electoral change is to copy the Hon. John Lang, of New South Wales. Mr. Will Appleton declares that preference voting in singlemember ward electorates will give every party fair representation;' and his audience is asked not to confuse this with proportional representation. No, indeed! It is but a bad imi-. tation of real- electoral reform and if adopted will only make confusion worse confounded. Fancy our great legion copying the method of Mr. Lang. New Zealanders want no retrograde reactionary and undemocratic system. What we now have is bad, but that other plan would be worse. Those who oppose proportional representation convict themselves of desiring disproportionate representation. They would grasp office without the authority, of consent. The voting method under P.R. gives the voter the biggest return for the trouble of voting. On the ballot he or she can record not only one choice, but several preferences." In fact may put on paper a big piece of their political mind, giving expression to their will, desire and consent. Without P.R. there is no true liberty at the ballot box. It stands for true democracy, justice and truth. What more should anyone want ? J. JOLLEY THOMAS.