ELECTORAL LAWS

Evening Post, Issue 56, 3 September 1935, Page 10

ELECTORAL LAWS

CHANGE UNLIKELY

MR. CLINKARD'S BILL

,M)T TO BE INTRODUCED

There now appears to be little likelihood of a Bill providing for the adoption of preferential voting being introduced during the present session of Parliament. The Prime Minister (the Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbes) has already made it clear that the Government does not intend to move in the matter, and in this view he is supported by leading members of the Government. It was open, of course, for members of Parliament to. take action on their own initiative, but from inquiries made in the lobbies today this does not seem likely.

Qn two occasions Mr. C. H. Clinkard (Government, Rotorua) has introduced a-/Bill providing for preferential voting, but he told a "Post" reporter today that he.had no intention of doing so this session. . . ■ ,

"On the two: occasions on which. 1 have moved," said Mr. Cluikard, "'I have ■ received no support from the Readers of • the Government or from rank and file members, and apparently I can .expect little support now. Poli-r tical '. events of the past few months have brought about new alignments, arid it is evident .that preferential voting,would not be looked upon favourably. Since I last introduced the measure, I have made inquiries from three of the Australian State Premiers, £nd the inforriiation I have received indicates that while the system in vogue iri Australia has some advantages,, it also has definite disadvantages. I must admit that the present is hardly a suitable ;time to contemplate a revolutionary- alteration! in' the electoral laws. Perhaps after'the General Election Parliament might, v consider: the matter again, when it has been possible- to make a complete 'survey, of the various systems.- 'If lam re-elected'! will ccr T tainly advocate the adoption of preferential voting, butr in the meantime, I ani content to let' it rest" ' " j