PREFERENTIAL VOTING.
We will shortly be called upon to elect a Parliament under a system which is little short of comic opera. Dozens of members will again bo elected by minorities. A letter in Saturday's "Star" urges the Government to introduce preferential voting. This, of course, guarantees majority rule, but large minorities have a right to be represented in Parliament according to their numbers. One of the best tests of a true democracy is the respect and tolerance shown to minorities. Government by majority with large minorities also represented can be had under proportional representation. This requires group electorates, each electorate returning several members. Tt also increases the electors' scope of selection. It guarantees more stable government; a 20 per cent turnover only changes the Government 20 per cent. But under the first past the post system a 20 per cent turnover may change the personnel of Parliament r>o or CO per cent, or even more. E. STEVENSON.
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Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 204, 29 August 1935, Page 20
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158PREFERENTIAL VOTING. Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 204, 29 August 1935, Page 20
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