"NOT ON THE PROGRAMME"

Evening Post, Volume CXX, Issue 52, 29 August 1935, Page 8

"NOT ON THE PROGRAMME"

■ In a.statement telegraphed from Christchurch on .Monday the Prime Minister is reported, as stating that electoral' reform was not at the moment on the Government's programme for the 'session but Cabinet had all. the material information it needed on the subject and would be ready to deal with it when the time came to review the electoral laws generally. He expressed doubt as to the measure of support in Parliament for a change, and said: "If any demand exists in the country for a change in the electoral system, it must have developed during my absence." Mr..Forbes has since been reported as going' further than this and indicating riot only that reform was not on the sessional programme at the moment, but that it would not be| undertaken. If v this report is correct the Prime^ Minister has clearly not informed himself-of what lias happened in his absence. The demand for reform may not have developed strongly, but the necessity has certainly arisen. With two major parties in the field and triangular contests only where minor parties or independents appeared, the existing system would give rough justice. But;for this election there'..will: be three major parties and probably many independents also. Without preferential voting it is 1 possible, and , highly probable, that seats will be won by candidates who in fact represent the views of a minority of the electors. It is no use trying to meet this by telling the third party to retire, or by endeavouring to whip up feeling against "vote-splitters." If serious misrepresentation, of the country is to be avoided it must be by changing the system to one which will record the people's . wishes accurately. ;