Electoral reform

Press, 9 March 1984, Page 16

Electoral reform

Sir,—All responsible people concerned about orderly representative government should be agitating for electoral reform They should be demanding absolute majority voter representation in a government proportionately representing all parties elected by the percentage of votes giving the same percentage of seats. In the last election 38 per cent of votes won 51 per cent of seats to exclude every other party and voter from government. The New Zealand Party could win the next election with 26 per cent of the vote. Technically, any party winning 42.43 per cent (Rangiora 1981) of the vote could be denied a single seat. Whatever the results, the method of election used is anti-democratic and caters strictly for those who want absolute power for minority interests to the exclusion of 60 per cent of voters. The method of election used provides no hope for responsible government. —Yours, etc L. J. ROBINSON. Values Party spokesperson

for electoral reform. March 6, 1984.