ELECTORAL REFORM.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 106, 28 January 1908, Page 4

ELECTORAL REFORM.

Sir,— I The anomaly of minority representatives must force itself upon every thoughtful individual as tho general elections draw nigli. All men of all shades of political opinion should unite in removing this anomaly. At the same time it is by no means tho | only ovil in our electoral laws. The single electorate system itself stands aelfcondemned to common senso as well ■ . as to democracy. For example, let us suppose that there" are hut two factions in polities—Liberals and Conservatives—let lis also suppose that in each olcc- > , tornto there is a majority of. snv, one Lib- , oral doctor'. The result would be that nearly , half of tho people would not be represented nt all. It is a slightly exaggerated example, hut perfectly correct m principle. Of courso r 1 know that the people are divided into many i factions, but the principle applies just tho . same. Now, have, not minorities a rigla to i (heir share of representation? Even though they may he outvoted they can put their side of the ease, and if sound, they may grow i into a majority. Kor theso reasons it is not hard to see, why the late Premier did away with triple electorates:- simply because tho Opposition, though in a minority, could secure oue seat out of the three, but divided

thoy" must go to the wall. 1 Tho great advaiH s ' . t'ago of- groupelectorates; I .' however, is Jiofc ■, - : - so.much. toiljilaco tho obsolete Opposition on<■,>■>; n 'fair footing>■ as ■to giro. aMhorongh ■ domo- :: orat a ehancfl. As matters stand, 1 the real demo-.- > orats are. scattered, • and l hencovthcy-uTo • not■ represented vat all while the' back-yard politician,, who says he will got tlns> that,' and the—, -i other, for his: district, and:cares |not ; a dump for .the welfare of tho wboky, is iilected every ■" tiirlG..■ In-tho last-analysis; the fault must 1»9 laid at-the door of tho electors f>ir not insisting on till deeired -change' being effected. There is a good deal, of- moonshine, about, our- a. democracy.;; Judging by reccnt,, events; wer- •■ > may look forward with horror tq: a time when - v no outsider need, contest a seati They : will be handed on frora father to son.—l am, etc.,. ' ' '' ' 1 1 E. STEVENSON. Hastings, January 20 r v '