DUAL VOTING SYSTEM

Dominion, Volume 27, Issue 148, 20 March 1934, Page 10

DUAL VOTING SYSTEM

Criticism by Women DISAPPROVAL RECORDED Proposals for dual complementary •voting in electorates came in for much criticism by delegates at yesterday afternoon’s session of the Womens Christian Temperance Union’s Convention. While everyone present appeared to be very definitely in favour of having women in Parliament, the general opinion was that a system of dual voting, whereby electors would be compelled to vote for one woman in each electorate, would be anything but desirable, as they might be forced to vote for a woman whom they did not want Mrs. T. E. Taylor, the Dominion president, and Mrs. S. D. Peryman spoke strongly on the subject. Both stressed the need for women in Parliament, but at the same time reminded their listeners that it was the right type of woman who was wanted. Miss C. E. Kirk considered that if a woman was not good enough to get into Parliament by merit, she was not good enough to get there at all. Mrs. Taylor spoke of the difficulty of getting suitable people to stand for Parliament, and - Mrs. Peryman deplored the fact that electors would be forced to vote for a woman of whom, perhaps, they might not be in favour. “Anyway,” she added, “women don't want to get into Parliament by the back door.” After several delegates had spoken, the following resolution was passed—- “ That this convention disapproves of the proposal for. dual complementary voting, on the ground thqt it is opposed to the principle that voters should have an unfettered choice in voting.”