"AN ABSURD SYSTEM."

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 18988, 30 April 1927, Page 14

"AN ABSURD SYSTEM."

NEW VOTING METHOD. "This system is absurd, and the men who formulated it for elections at which, there is a big number of candidates had no practical knowledge l of electoral work.'' Mr Albert Freeman, Substitute lieturning Officer for the municipal and local body elections, who expressed this opinion to a representative of The Press, has filled his present position at the post six or seven municipal elections, has been principal Returning Officer for 20 years, and has acted as deputy for close on 40 years. The method whereunder the voter strikes out the name of the unwanted candidate is a bad one, Mr Freeman considers, as the number of positions to be filled is limited, but the number of candidates is unlimited. This method presents no difficulties where the number of vacancies to be filled and of candidates offering is small, but confusion arises when the vacancies are many and the candidates are still more numerous. With.the first past the post system, the positive method—marking a cross or a number against the names of the candidates—is fa r superior to striking out the names. From the point of view of the work involved in counting the votes, Mr Freeman considers that the proportional representation system is the best—an opinion he expresses quite apart from the merits of tlie_ different systems _ as a means of arriving at the effective expression .">f the wishes of the electors. RANGIORA. The official returns of the voting for Mayor and Council of Rangiora are as follows: Mayoralty—W. A. Rowse 387, R. Mcintosh 354. Borough Council —C. F. Ayers GoO,

H. K. Kippenberger 617,0.1. Jennings 607, J. F. Sutherland 359, R. H. Bailey 548, A. E. Evans 547, J. Cathenvood 490, C. "W. 1 Tyler 476, J. J. Matthews 459. ' The defeated candidates were J. Lindon 447, and T. .Leech 432.

ON THE COAST. (SPZCIAL 10 TOT PBEBS.) GREIIMOUTH, April 29. The final figures for the Hokitika .Borough Council election are as follows : E. Teichelmann ... 511 W. Jeffries ... ... 507 D. J. Evans ... ... 473 A. C. Armstrong ... 444 J. King ... ... 437 A. R. Elcock ... ... 434 T. W. Duff 420 G. Heinz ... ... 402' E. W. Heenan ... ... 286 (Elected.) C. C. Friend ... ... 273 M. McGavin ... ... 260 ' F. Orr ... ... 2f>{ y- T . Parry [ 250 J. I/. Turner ... - ... 941 W Wright ... ... 190 Hospital Board. > The final figures for the Westland Hospital Board election are: J. J. Breeze ... ... 594 T. W. Duff ... ... 445 G. Heinz .... ... 333 (Elected.) 3r. McGavin ... u . 219 C. C. Friend ... ... 199 H. T. PSrry ... ... 167 Informal ... 57