The Ward System

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31782, 12 September 1968, Page 14

The Ward System

Sir, —“Ward-heeler” is a word well known in North America, where the ward system is in common use. There are, no doubt, some good arguments in favour of the elector’s voting only for a representative of his own ward. But there is also the danger that the person so elected will restrict his vision to his own ward only, and, in his anxiety to retain the votes of his own ward, neglect the good of the larger community.—Yours, etc., HELEN GARRETT. September 11, 1968.

Sir, —1 heartily agree with Fred Laws—and have said so before now in these columns. I have always thought the system we had, in England far better, for there, even if one did not know the candidates personally, at any rate one knew enough about them to decide whether they were the sort one wanted as representative. Here, the voter is confronted with a list of names, most of which convey nothing to him, for good or ill, and, as frequently happens, if they live outside the district concerned, are not likely to take as much interest as those who reside in and perhaps have other interests in that particular community. Besides, there are occasions when it is of considerable advantage to be able to discuss some point or other with them personally. —Yours, etc., . • ILAM. September 11, 1968.